Voter Registration: NCWS Decries Low Participation In Enugu

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in Enugu State, has expressed worry at the low participation of the electorate in the ongoing voter registration in the state.
The state President of the Council, Mrs Beatrice Chukwuonwe, made the disclosure in Enugu,  while monitoring the exercise.
Chukwuonwe noted that the turnout in some of the local governments visited was unimpressive.
“I have visited seven of the 17 local government areas of the state and what I saw was disheartening.
“Some people complained of the long distance to the registration centres while others lamented the slow pace of the machines.
“I learnt that the first quarter of the exercise will close by the end of this month.
“I am appealing to INEC to create additional centres and also increase the number of machines and personnel in designated centres.”
The president also expressed dissatisfaction over the attitude of some electoral officers conducting the registration toward groups monitoring the exercise.
“Some of the electoral officers do not cooperate with Civil Society Organisations monitoring the registration.
“For instance, if you want to find out about complaints by some eligible voters, they will be hostile in their response and refuse to attend to you.”
The president appealed to eligible voters to make out time to register, adding that it was the only opportunity to make their choice during elections.
Chukwuonwe also appealed to the state government and CSOs to embark on intensive sensitization and media campaigns on radio and televisions, to encourage more participation.
Some of the councils visited included Enugu East, North and South Local Governments, Aninri, Awgu, as well as Nkanu East and West.
When contacted, the INEC Public Relations Officer in Enugu, Mr Sam Bassey, said the commission would look into the issues as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Emeka Ononamadu was settling down.