•Seeks CVR extension, probe of alleged extortion

By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to take urgent steps to prevent what it described as the possible disenfranchisement of about 800,000 residents of the state ahead of next year’s general elections.

According to a statement jointly signed by CLO Anambra State Chairman, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, AMBP-UN, Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mbah, and Comrade Damian Ogudike, the organisation alleged that the absence of additional electoral wards and polling units in several fast-growing communities, coupled with alleged extortion during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, could deny many eligible voters the opportunity to participate in the polls. The group urged INEC to extend the CVR exercise, create additional polling units and electoral wards, and investigate allegations that some electoral officials demanded money from prospective registrants.

“All hands must be on deck to enthrone good governance,” the statement said.

The organisation said it had repeatedly appealed to INEC to establish more electoral wards and polling units in new layouts and housing estates across Anambra State but claimed its requests had yet to receive attention.

It alleged that rising living costs had forced many residents to relocate from urban centres to communities such as Nsugbe, Nkwelle, Umunya, Oba, Umuchu and Igbariam, where electoral infrastructure had not expanded to match population growth.

“From Magazine Junction to Nkwelle, only two polling units exist,” the statement claimed, referring to St. Theresa Parish, Mba Farm, and Oyolu Primary School.

The organisation further alleged that prospective voters were discouraged from registering after some officials reportedly demanded between N2,000 and N5,000 before processing their registration.

The statement cited the case of elder statesman, Chief Tony Nnaji, who allegedly complained that his daughter visited the Onitsha South Electoral Office three times without being registered after she reportedly refused to pay N3,000 allegedly demanded by officials.

“CLO received, and is still receiving, torrents of complaints lodged by frustrated registrants,” the statement added.

The group called on the electoral commission to investigate the allegations and sanction any officials found culpable, arguing that such action would restore public confidence in the electoral process.

It also urged INEC to immediately create additional polling units and political wards in rapidly expanding communities, alleging that more than 15 housing estates in Nkwelle alone currently have no polling unit.

Quoting political philosopher Edmund Burke, the organisation said, “Evil triumphs not because of those who do it, but because good people sit back and do nothing,”** insisting that anyone found responsible for acts capable of undermining the electoral process should face the full weight of the law.