THE NEED FOR NIGERIANS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOTER REGISTRATION BY

UJU ONYEMELUKWE

January 15 heralds a new dawn for every Nigeria that is eighteen years and above to go and register for the eighth general elections in the country. Previous ones were held in 1964, 1979, 1983,1993,1999,2003 and 2007. As the registrations exercise commence it is time for every Nigerian to go and get the power to choose their leaders as the corner stone of democracy is voter registration. It is therefore paramount for Nigerians to understand, be
reminded, educated and to appreciate the importance voter registration play in a democratic process. Voter registration is the right for all eligible citizens to participate in the
affairs of their government. It is the power to chase corruption away and decide who will pilot the affairs of the nation in the next four years. It is the first step for a good electioneering, to choose a leader and the identity card to
appoint a leader. For citizens it is the most fundamental form of participation for voting in a free and fair election. It prevents mischievous electoral officials and politicians from manipulating figures and above all prevents rigging. This
perhaps may be why the former Arch Bishop of Province of the Niger Anglican Communion the most Reverend Maxwell Anikenwa said in a radio Nigeria programme Eagle Square that election rigging starts during registration. Preventing this and frustration ballot snatchers can only be done through voter registration.Voters list makes it possible to separate two of the most important functions of the election authority; verifying voter eligibility and controlling the legitimacy of the balloting process. the list may also be used in voter education and may be provided to political parties and candidates to aid them in
their campaigns and during election petitions. By confirming that voters have met all eligible requirements, the voters list help confer legitimacy on the electoral process. Conversely, the legitimacy of the process will immediately be called into question if there are problems with voter registration, and particularly with the integrity of the voters list. Voter registration is therefore one of the most important tasks of election administration.
This is why everyone who truly loves this country and desire the best for it should come out from 15th January and dedicate their time in the next fourteen
days to register. Last minutes rush which was part of the characteristic of previous registration must be avoided.
People should not wait for the last day to bombard the independent national election commission, INEC, officials to be registered and when they are not
attended to, trade blame on INEC, the government or anybody for not meeting the expectations of the people. The media are now awashed with different forms of
publicity calling on people to come out and register. Religious bodies, organizations and politicians calls on people to register are also a welcome
development. But they should continue until every eligible voter heed to this call.
INEC on the part should know that all eyes are on the them to make this exercise successful. Nigerians are not willing to accept excuses. It is expected that all
materials for the registration is adequate and place on ground during the days of the registration.
The staff should be dedicated to duty and be available and assessable at the different registration centers and at the right time. Bearing in mind that time is of the essence, registrations hours, 9 hours a day, should be kept and
truancy avoided to be able to attend to the expected teeming population that will registered.
For those posted in the rural areas, they should be dedicated to duty without neglecting the areas because they are devoid of modern facilities and may not be
suitable for them.It is also expected that during the fourteen days of registration, INEC must prevent fraudulent and multiple registration so that at the end the voter
registration will help in preventing individual voters from enrolling more than once under multiple identities. More so ensuring the integrity of the “one man one vote” concept and implication of democratic principles. This is why it is time for people to come out and ensure good electoral process than to sit and analyze election process and results, apportion blames when the outcome of the exercise appears not to meet up to the acceptable standards. The suspension of resumption day in both public and private primary and secondary schools indicates how serious government want the exercise to be successful. Therefore every eligible Nigerian should see this voter registration as part of their civic responsibility. Non chalant attitudes towards it will have a damaging effect on the nation. We should bear in mind that once a comprehensive voter registration is established Nigeria can be said to be on the verge of a good democratic process
and a successful election this year.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary