By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uncovered 27, 817 multiple registrations from the just concluded Continuous Voter Registration in Anambra.

This is even as the commission added 146,353 new voters to the state voter register.

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Thursday in Abuja.

Olumekun said that the commission met on Thursday and among other issues, deliberated on the final register of voters for the Nov. 8, Anambra governorship election.

He said that the commission also deliberated on the status of letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

He noted that in continuation of preparations for the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, the commission carried out voter registration in the 316 wards across the state between July 8 and 20.

He noted that during that period, 168,187 resident registered as new voters, adding that at the end of the registration exercise, INEC set aside July 26 and Aug. 1, for display of all new registrants in all the wards for claims and objections in line with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

He added that the commission furthermore scrutinised the list using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to detect invalid registrations.

“At the end of the process, 27,817 records were found to be double or multiple registrations and removed from the list.

“Consequently, the figure for new registrants now stands at 140,370 while valid applications for transfer into the State is 5,983, making a total of 146,353 new voters.

“Prior to the recent voter registration, Anambra had 2,656,437 registered voters. With the new registrants, the voters roll for the state now stands at 2,802,790,” he said.

According to Olumekun, distribution of the new figures by Local Government Area, shows that Idemili North with 246,318 (8.79 per cent) has the highest number of registered voters, followed by Awka South with 216,611 (7.73 per cent) and Ogbaru with 188,016 (6.71 per cent).

“Dunokofia and Anambra West have 83,580 (2.98 per cent) and 71,332 (2.55 per cent) registered voters respectively.”

He disclosed that the distribution of new voters by LGA was already uploaded to INEC website and other official platforms for public information.

He assured new voters in Anambra as well as those who applied for transfer or replacement of their lost or damaged Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) that their cards would be ready for collection before the state governorship election.

He also disclosed that the commission had received additional 19 more letters of intent from association seeking to be registered as political parties, bringing the total so far to 171 as at Sept 3.

Olumekun reiterated that a shortlist of the pre-qualified associations was being finalised for the next stage of application for registration.

He added that the committee reviewing the letters of intent had prepared its recommendations for final consideration by the commission.

He appealed to all the associations who submitted letters of intent to remain patient as INEC finalise the process.

“We also urge them to avoid frequent changes to their logos, acronyms and addresses or one association submitting multiple requests.

“Some associations have changed their interim leaderships, following defections to other associations or even existing political parties, thereby delaying the process,” Olumekun said.

He reassure the associations that INEC would treat all applications fairly, urging them to assist the process by remaining consistent.

“As always, the commission will continue to communicate with Nigerians on all its activities,” he said.

Olumekun noted that the latest update on the CVR and application had been uploaded to INEC website and other official platforms for public information. (NAN)