Awka – INEC in Anambra has yet to commence verification of voters register in some parts of the state, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has revealed.

The survey of some council areas, which included Ihiala, Awka North and South, Oyi, and Dunukofia, showed that INEC offices in the areas had not displayed the list.

NAN findings also showed that eligible voters were not aware of the exercise.

According to INEC guideline, the exercise is supposed to start on Feb. 14 and end on Thursday.

At Ihiala INEC office, the electoral officer, Mr Gerald Uba, said the display started on Tuesday and that his officers had covered 200 of the 278 polling units in area.

“The lists are virtually displayed in about 200 units at Mbosi, Uli, Azia, Lilu, Umuoma and Umuchima.

“At some of the wards, materials are being sorted out as I am talking to you now, but the lists have not been displayed,” Uba said.

A visit to St Martins Primary School, Odata-Uzoakwa, Holy Ghost Juniorate Ihiala and Uzoakwu Central School 1, revealed that no register was displayed there.

The situation was similar at Udoka, Akughali , Permit Market II, Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi North.

Reacting to the development, the traditional ruler of Ihiala, Dr Cosmos Okechukwu, expressed surprise at INEC’s failure to enlighten the public on the exercise.

“Some people came to the palace to inform me that a list was pasted at our Okohia Community Primary School, Ihiala,” the ruler said.

A former security adviser to ex- governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Chief Bonaventure Maduofokwo, said the lapses might encourage manipulation of voters during the April elections.

The Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukogu, said INEC officials were still sorting and working on the registers gathered from across the state.

“Right now, we are collating, aggregating and will later print out the names,” he said.

Onukaogu promised to brief newsmen when the process is completed.
(NAN)