BY Zulkarnain Muhammad
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe State, Dr. Saad Idris, has expressed concern over the state’s low voter registration figures compared to other northern states, describing the situation as a collective challenge that requires the active support of all stakeholders.
Dr. Idris made this remark during the State Stakeholders’ Meeting on Phase II of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise held in Gombe.
According to the REC, despite improvements recorded during Phase I of the CVR, Gombe State’s total registration figure remains significantly lower than that of many northern states, including those facing serious security challenges.
He disclosed that Phase I of the CVR recorded a total of 35,451 new registrations within the state, comprising 14,976 males (42%) and 20,475 females (58%), marking the first time female registration surpassed male registration in the state’s history
He noted that while states such as Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno and Yobe recorded higher registration percentages, Gombe stood at just over one percent.
He stressed that the low figures should not be seen as the responsibility of INEC alone but as a shared concern that demands collective action.
The REC called on political parties to mobilise their supporters, civil society organisations to intensify grassroots advocacy, religious and traditional leaders to use their influence to encourage participation, and the media to sustain public enlightenment on the importance of voter registration.
Dr. Idris also urged security agencies to continue providing a safe and conducive environment for registration activities across the state.
To address the challenge, he disclosed that INEC has approved the devolution of voter registration to Registration Areas (RAs) on a rotational basis under Phase II of the CVR aimed at bringing registration closer to eligible voters, particularly at the grassroots, and removing barriers that discourage participation.
The REC expressed optimism that with the full support and cooperation of stakeholders, Gombe State would record significant improvement in voter registration figures and ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of the democratic process.
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