THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said that no fewer than 104, 805 voters have been registered in the first and second phases of the on-going Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), exercise in Bayelsa.
The INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Mr Clement Oha disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Yenagoa.
Oha explained that the Commission registered 68, 825 eligible voters in the first phase and 35, 980 in the second phase that ended on Oct 19.
He said the reduction in the figure in the second phase was due to the aggressive participation of voters in the first phase.
“The Commission in Bayelsa have rounded up two phases of the on-going CVR, it has been a huge success despite challenges caused by weather (rainy period), especially at the second phase.
“We had challenges of flooding in some communities in Ekeremor, Sothern-Ijaw, and Ogbia local government area but thank God we were able to overcome it,” he said.
On the distribution of uncollected permanent voter cards (PVCs), the Secretary said a total of 1, 452 cards were distributed during the first and second phase of the CVR exercise.
He, however, explained that a total number of voters on transfer in the second phase were 324 as against 474 in the first phase making a total of 818 for both phases.
Oha added that the number of voters requested for reprinting in the second phase was 1, 710 as against 4, 272 in the first phase making a total 5, 982 for both.
“The reprinting is for those that have lost their PVC, those that have errors on their card among others.
“On the whole, I am impressed with the outcome; initially when we started, at the early stage of the first phase, the record was very low but the Headquarter of the Commission graciously approved more centers for Bayelsa and the exercise extended to riverine communities,” Oha said.
It recalled that 10 additional centers were created in Bayelsa making a total of 19 centers for the state. The additional centers were to decentralise the exercise in the coastal states, especially Bayelsa.
“So, the additional centers made an increase in the first phase; now, in the second phase, the number of people that came out to register dropped considerably.
“The challenge was that we have been able to mop up the populations in the new centers that were created at the first phase.
“So, if the commission can graciously equally approve for us to go further to the areas that we have not been able to access, maybe the number will increase,” he said.
He further called on the eligible voters, who are yet to register to take advantage of the third phase that and register themselves.
The third phase commenced on Nov 9 across the eight local government areas of the state.
He noted that the registration was for those, who have attained the voting age of 18 and those who have either relocated or lost PVCs.
“We have been sensitising the general public on the need for the exercise. The media have been helpful and the Community Leaders; I hope the message is being circulated,” he said.
On security, Oha commended the security agencies in the state on their support to ensure that the exercise was peacefully and successful.