By Emma Arubi & Akpokona Omafuaire
FOUR days into the nationwide voter registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, eligible voters in the three Warri local government areas of Delta State, which  make up the Warri Federal constituency have not been able to discharge their civic duties as the exercise is yet to commence in the areas.

The member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Daniel Reyenieju, yesterday, while addressing newsmen,  said the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, must explain why the exercise was yet to commence in his constituency in spite of massive turn out by the people for the exercise, adding that it was unacceptable to him.

Also, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, yesterday, led over 100 persons to the Warri INEC office to protest the delay in the exercise, insisting that INEC must add additional three days extension to the three Warri councils to compensate for the three days delay.

The largely riverine coastal constituency bordering the Atlantic ocean and parts of the oil city toured by the federal lawmaker was without the presence of INEC officials and DDC machines, wondering why his constituency was singled out for disenfranchisement.

Reyenieju said, whenever the exercise commences, INEC must ensure that the mandatory 14 days slated for the exercise throughout the country is giving to the people of his constituency also, adding that “prospective voters in the constituency are currently traumatised with strong fear of total or partial disenfranchisement.”

“I am aghast as to why INEC has refused to effect commencement of voter’s registration in Warri Federal constituency. Could this a ploy for an orchestrated end of ominous dimension against the prospective electorates of this constituency? he wondered

He therefore called on INEC Chairman and the state Resident Electoral Commissioner to as a matter of urgency assuage the fears of the people and give assurance to them that the non commencement of the exercise was not deliberate more so when the exercise is taking place around Warri and other areas of the state.

Vanguard gathered that the delay has made it difficult for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to register while his colleagues’ governors have all registered.

According to Lori-Ogbebor, “for three days we have been waiting for the deployment of materials and youth Corps members, we were here on Saturday and till today no sign of commencement of the registration. We want to know why, and anytime we register, the whole world should that we had spent three days waiting and so they must give us three extra days.”