The Kano State government has announced a compulsory voter registration as it seeks to register 10 million eligible voters in the forth coming nationwide continuous voters’ registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf made this known Friday while inaugurating a 36-member Committee on Voter Registration and Civic Awareness,mandated with mobilising residents to participate in the exercise.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alh. Faruk Umar Ibrahim, the governor believed voter registration exercise is not only a civic responsibility but a compulsory duty upon which citizens determine who leads them.
He emphasised the government’s intention to deploy maximum efforts in voter registration for developmental and security purposes aside electoral gains.
According to the SSG,membership of the committee cut across all strata of people in the society with no political undertones by government in the composition of the membership.
He charged members to live up to the mandate adding that government would support them to achieve the purpose.
“You must do everything possible to ensure eligible voters participate in the registration exercise. At the end of the exercise, we expect at least 10 million voters in Kano. The government is ready to support the committee to achieve that.
“The government is also challenging the committee to ensure nobody is denied the opportunity to register. We expect you to collaborate with INEC to ensure a smooth exercise, report to the government for appropriate action, and notify them of any lapses, especially on the part of INEC.
“You are expected to undertake rigorous enlightenment exercises across the 44 local government areas, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to achieve the objectives within the time limit.
“Identify challenges, and solutions, monitor and evaluate the exercise at all the polling units. You are also to ensure that voters’ cards are delivered and collected by citizens who registered”.
Speaking on behalf of the members, Chairman of the committee and Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim Waiya, said the appointment is a call to service.and assured that the committee would do all that is required to surpass the target
“We have considered the appointment as a call to service, and we would leave no stone unturned to achieve the objective. It is our conviction that Kano will continue to lead in the political landscape, and we would do everything possible to meet the target and beyond”.
