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Author: Peter Eledan
Posted to the web: 1/25/2011 12:08:17 AM

London, UK ( onlinenigeria ) January 22, 2011 - Millions of voters across the country must establish their eligibility and register in order for their votes to count on April 2011 elections. The challenges of inability of voters to register can lead to lawsuits, bad-tempered arguments among electoral candidates and escalating partisan battles. Because many voters may not be able to register due to various problems encountered by INEC and this could flag vote eligibility questions and could lead to confusion on Election Day. Furthermore, it is impossible to know how many voters are affected nationwide with this machine related problema. The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Federal government have been urged to consider the extension of the ongoing registration exercise to enable all Nigerians have the opportunity to perform their civic responsibilities.The global based Organisation, Goodluck Jonathan campaign Team (GJGCT), with its headquarter in the United Kingdom made this appeal in London during a press conference organized to review the political situations in the Nigeria and the just concluded party primaries.The Global Campaign Team Chairman, Mr. Peter Eledan noted that it would be appropriate to extend the days of the registration exercise in view of the multiple problems facing Nigerians who have come out amass to register at various centers across the country. Though he commended INEC and other stakeholders in the project so far, but added that this greatest opportunity should not be wasted owing to some technical problems being experienced on the use of the equipment nationwide.Eledan opined that the time frame of two weeks may not be adequate to accommodate eligible voters to register considering the importance of this yearâ's elections to Nigeria as a nation and the enthusiasm shown by the people to participate in the exercise.He also advised INEC to equally incorporate manual registration side by side with the electronic operation pointing out that in the advanced nations of the world both systems are constantly being used as technology can fail any time. He suggested that INEC should recruit more temporary staffs to assist the INEC personnel on the field.The Campaign Team Chairman also called of Nigerians outside the shores of the country to give logistic support to the efforts of the government and INEC by mobilizing Nigerians back home, stressing the importance of one man one vote as a pre requisite for free and fair election in Nigeria.Eledan said his group had gone round the country to monitor the progress of the exercise and to educate the public on the need to participate in the registration, stressing that successful voters registration will be a vital landmark for the peaceful conduct of April elections.Closing RemarkPeter Eledan, MSc, MBA - Chairman, Goodluck Jonathan Global Campaign Team (GJGCT). Mr Niran Abitogun, Author and Executive Writer for goodluckjonathanfor2011.com.The website, http://www.goodluckjonathanfor2011.com , provides news and updates on Goodluck Jonathanâ's campaign activities, information about his vision for Nigeriaâ's development, news on Nigerian Politics and lots more.###