The Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Rosemary Effiom Archibong, has pledged her Ministry’s readiness to support the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the recently flagged-off Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR), exercise in Cross River State achieves success.
Mrs. Archibong made this pledge, during a recent advocacy visit by the Administrative Secretary of the Independence National Electoral Commission in the state and his team, at the Ministry of Information and Orientation Headquarters, Calabar.
According to the Information boss, Nigerians were waiting for a time like this, where they could correct anomalies, register new electorates that have attained age 18 and exercise their right as citizens of the nation, adding that, what INEC has done through the Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) is an answer to their prayers.
The Commissioner sued residents of the state who have attained the age 18 and above to come out en masse and register, disclosing that, the Personal Voters Card is not only used for voting during elections, which is its primary purpose, but also serves as a core means of identification.
Commissioner Archibong called on the INEC team in the state, to work within the ambit of the rules and regulations guiding it, in line with international best practices, urging them to double their efforts, given the vastness of the state. She assured INEC that, in spite of the vast nature of the state, Cross River is also relatively safe, while reaffirming Governor Ben Ayade’s commitment to ensuring that the state retains its identity of peace, calmness and beauty.
She further stated that, Governor Ayade will be delighted to have Cross River State stand out amongst other States as the most transparent and successful in the Continuous Voters’ Registration exercise.
In his remarks, the Administrative Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, Engr. Peter Opara, expressed appreciation in the role the Ministry and the State Government have played towards election processes in the state and their support in achieving the successes recorded in the past.
Engr. Opara, who described the exercise as a civic responsibility, stated that, no election will stand credibly without a valid voters’ register, adding that, the first phase of the exercise which will last for ninety days would avail them the opportunity to distribute Personal Voters Card to those who could not collect in the past and register those who have attained the age of 18. He pointed out that, those seeking transfer of destination and those who have lost their PVCs should also join the exercise.
The INEC boss in the state implored the management of the ministry of information and orientation to synergize with other media agencies to enhance the success of the exercise.