Lagos- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos on Tuesday called for the support of political parties to ensure successful general elections in the state.
Mr Akin Orebiyi, the new Resident Electoral Commission (REC) said this during his inaugural meeting with party leaders and other stakeholders in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting held at the state INEC office in Yaba.
Party Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, Secretaries among others as well as key stakeholders were present at the meeting.
Orebiyi said that the success of the general elections depended on collective efforts of all parties involved in the elections.
“The purpose of the meeting is to get introduced to the executive members of political parties active in Lagos State.
“We want to solicit your support so as to really work hand in hand to ensure success of the next general elections,’’ Orebiyi said.
According to him, the meeting is to ensure success during the February poll, urging that all hands must be on deck.
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He said that the commission could not do the job alone.
Orebiyi apologised to the parties and residents for the shortcomings during the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
“We want to apologise to Lagosians for whatever hitches they must have experienced in the distribution of Permanent Voters Card as well as the continuous voter registration exercise.
“We will try as much as possible to rectify what is still rectifiable,’’ he said.
Orebiyi, however, said that whoever ought to have registered during the CVR and did not register could no longer register for the elections.
He said that those who had not collected their voter cards had the privilege of picking them up in the 245 registration centres across the 20 local government areas.
“Access will be given to those who have not collected their voter cards beyond our local government offices to our collation centres in all of the 245 wards in the state.
“We are also extending the opening hours from 8.30a.m. to 5.30p.m. for seven days a week for the next three to four weeks,’’ he added.
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The new REC commended his predecessor, Mr Adekunle Ogunmola for the job well done in the state, stressing that the duo would work together for the success of the election.
Orebiyi assured Lagosians that the next general elections would be successful.
NAN recalls that the INEC in Lagos has decentralised the distribution of the PVCs in the state in line with the directive from its national headquarters.
According to the commission, they can now be picked up in 19 centres in Lagos Island Local Government Area, 10 in Kosofe, 10 in Ikeja, 11 in Ifako-Ijaiye and 19 in Epe.
It also said that they could be collected in 11centres in Ibeju-Lekki, 10 in Eti-Osa, 11 in Badagry, 10 in Apapa, 11 in Amuwo-Odofin, 11 in Alimosho, 11 in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, 11 in Agege and 12 in Somolu.
According to the commission, they will be available in 11centres in Oshodi-Isolo, 11 in Ojo, 19 in Ikorodu, 12 in Surulere, 11 in Lagos Mainland, and 14 in Mushin. (NAN)