The House of Representatives has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the deadline for continuous voter registration by 60 days.
According to the house, this is to enable more eligible Nigerians to register and get their Permanent Voter Card and participate in the 2023 general elections.
The resolution was passed during the plenary session on Wednesday, June 15, following the adoption of a motion passed by Benjamin Kalu, a lawmaker from Abia state.
Recall that the electoral umpire had fixed June 30 as the deadline for the suspension of CVR across the country ahead of the 2023 general election.
“The large numbers of unregistered eligible voters willing to be registered as evidenced by crowd seen at various registration centres resulting in congestion.
Reports of shortages of voter registration machines, inadequate manpower and personnel at registration centres which may lead to frustrations among prospective registrants and in some cases, unrest at some registration centres.
The right to vote is critically important to the health and legitimacy of our democracy, as well as electoral integrity,” Kalu said.
The motion was adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house.
The house committee on electoral matters was then directed to engage INEC and ensure that the deadline for voter registration is extended by 60 days.
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