The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, popularly known as the Situation Room, has rated the Independent National Electoral Commission low in the ongoing distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards in some states across the country.
The Situation Room said the handling of the exercise by INEC was of great concern.
Reports from across the country on Friday was that the Day 1 of the three-day exercise flopped in most of the states where it was scheduled to hold.
A statement on Friday by the civil society group said: “The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) is concerned that the ongoing distribution of PVCs and the conduct of the CVR in INECs Phase 3 States of Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Imo, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers is experiencing serious glitches and complaints from citizens who have received very little information on the exercise.
“Reports received by Situation Room shows that the exercise has been suspended in Rivers State and is being partially conducted in Lagos and Imo States. Several registered voters or persons intending to register have turned up in centres across the States only to be turned back or find that there are no registration officials on hand to conduct the exercise. This has heightened tension and apprehension amongst registered voters and potential voting registrants. In Kano, Ogun and Plateau States where officials have been present, they have had fewer cards than the voters’ register.
“INEC silence and inadequate information when provided has increased confusion, fears of disenfranchisement and raises questions for the general election.
“Situation Room calls on INEC to immediately rectify the hitches in the PVC and CVR exercise to ensure that no Nigerian is disenfranchised as a result of this exercise.”