There was confusion on Tuesday at the Continuous Voter Registration centre located within the INEC office in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Eligible residents who had gathered for the exercise accused a female INEC official of demanding money before attending to them.
According to eyewitnesses, the official allegedly requested N2,000 from each person seeking to register. The claim sparked anger among those present, many of whom had come to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards.The situation quickly escalated as frustrated voters raised their voices in protest. Some were heard shouting at the official, insisting that voter registration is a free constitutional right and should not attract any payment.
The commotion disrupted activities at the centre for several minutes. Other registrants joined in condemning the alleged demand, stressing that no fee is attached to the CVR process nationwide.Officials at the scene were later seen trying to restore order. As of press time, INEC authorities in Anambra State had not issued an official statement on the incident. The commission has repeatedly stated that voter registration, including collection of PVCs, is free of charge across all its centres.
