By Vincent Ujumadu

AWKA – AS the February 6, 2010 election in Anambra State draws near, the coalition of human rights in the state has alleged that an estimated 1.5 million voters in the state would be disenfranchised owing to the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register them as prospective voters.

In a protest letter addressed to the president of the United Nations Human Rights Council based in Geneva, Switzerland, and copied to 38 individuals and corporate bodies, including President Umaru Yar’Adua, seven democracy groups operating in Anambra State accused INEC of shoddy preparations for the election, adding that if urgent steps were not taken, the election might be one of the worst to be conducted in the country.

The coalition said: “Election stands rigged the moment eligible voters have been disenfranchised and popular candidates arbitrarily disqualified. In a state with an estimated two million eligible voters, where an estimated 1.5 million eligible ones are disenfranchised, the result of the election to be conducted thereof is already determined as it will not be participatory, credible, free and fair.

“If a state with a population of over five million people goes to the poll with less than 10 per cent of its population, certainly a fraction so eligible may back out on the election day. And when this happens, robotic vote allocation will take precedence.

INEC’s claim that it is complying with the 2006 electoral act which stipulates that the registration of voters will end 120 days to the election date is regrettable and condemnable because the Commission deliberately refused to commence voters’ registration as stipulated by law.

No voter and civic education was organized, registration machines and materials were grossly inadequate and its staff refused to carry out functions for which they are paid by Nigeria’s tax payers.”