From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Businessmen and traders in Anambra State markets have expressed the need for Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) voters registration centers to be cited in the markets.
A spokesperson for the concerned traders, Hon Chinedu Igwe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Suzuki Don International Business Ltd, said that the traders are finding it difficult to get registered at Local Goverment Area Secretariat because of the large turnout of prospective persons wishing to get registered.
Hon Igwe who is also the President of Imo General Assembly (IGA) noted that the traders who squeeze out their precious time to get registered always get disappointed after spending the whole day at LGA Secretariat and are not called up before the close of business of the day.
“I wish to use this medium to call on the relevant authorities to please take the voters registration more closer to the market population, because they really want to participate in the election process especially the 2023 presidential polls but due to time and large number of people wishing to register at council area, they find it difficult to get it done.
“The traders are passionately committed to be part of the transition process in 2023 but the authorities that be should ensure that INEC voters registration points are taken closer to them, as it is generally known, there is always pressure on the time of businessmen and traders.
“We don’t mind to pay a token to get listed on INEC voters register so far the registration points are closer to us and we won’t have to waste precious time.” He asserted.
Hon Igwe appealed to the Anambra State governor, Prof Charles Soludo to as a matter of urgency take the traders concern to the INEC chairman so that the needful can be done before the exercise closes.
“The level of awareness among the business community to participate in the election process has never been this high, I think they should be encouraged to perform their civic responsibilities without wasting so much time, I am aware that in certain parts of the country, voters registration points are normally cited close to worship centers for ease of registration, this kind of privilege should be extended to the teeming business community in Igboland.” He concluded.