Over 15, 000 voters’ card unclaimed in Bauchi – REC

FROM: PAUL ORUDE, BAUCHI

Over 15, 000 voters’ cards are unclaimed and lying waste at the Bauchi State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This was disclosed by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi,  during a courtesy call on Governor Mohammed Abubakar, at Government House, Bauchi, on Thursday.

Abdullahi said the unclaimed voters’ card were for the first phase of voter registration early this year, adding that the second phase was still on-going.

He stated that during the first phase, over 35, 000 voters registered in  the state, out of which 15,000 were yet to collect their cards.

He said that the courtesy call on the governor was to rub minds on the way forward, and how to encourage the people of the state to participate in the on-going voter registration exercise.

“Despite the use of the electronic media, there is still low turnout of eligible voters during the last voter registration exercise,” he lamented.

The Bauchi REC, therefore, challenged politicians and political parties to encourage their people to participate in the phase 2 of the voter registration exercise.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner stressed that there was need for INEC and the state government to collaborate and enlighten the general public to register in the on-going voters’ registration exercise.

He assured that the INEC would maintain neutrality and transparency in discharging their duties and looked forward to a cordial relationship with the state government and all other relevant stakeholders.

Responding, Governor Abubakar thanked the REC for the visit.

He assured him that as “a true democrat who occupied a political office with over 10 years experience working in INEC”, he has no reason not to support INEC in discharging its duties.

The governor then directed the Secretary to the State Government, Mohammed Umar Nadada, to convey a meeting with all Local Government Areas Heads of Administration and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the people are enlightened to  participate in the  on-going voter registration and collect their voter card.