• Describes INEC Arrangement As Anti-Democratic •
As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, begins registration nationwide, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo has described as anti-democratic and shoddy, preparations by the commission.
The party in a statement by its spokesperson, Alhaji Akeem Azeez, said the decision to site registration centres only at INEC local government offices is not good, stressing that it was designed to disenfranchise many Nigerians who are displeased with the ruling party.
According to the statement, ”Democracy is not only designed to be pro -people but also to bring ease and not hardship to the people. However, the decision by INEC to site just one registration centre in each of the local government areas will cause a lot of hardship to prospective voters who are in their thousands in each local government areas and may eventually discourage them from performing one of their civic duties due to long queue, under the scorching sun. Moreover, some villagers would have to trek several kilometers to register. It is simply anti -people procedure and should be discontinued.
“The previous registration exercise was done at 5620 polling units across the state which broughtthe centres closer to the people. Commonsense dictates that an organisation of INEC stature and standing should improve on its process and procedure yearly but it is quite unfortunate that it’s process is retrogressive.
The party, however, called on INEC to rescind the decision and site the registration centres at voting points across the country to encourage people to come out to register, enjoining members of the public to proceed to designated registration centres pending the anticipated adjustment from INEC.
