The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered 663,748 voters in 1,939 units for the Bayelsa governorship election slated for December 5, the commission has stated.
Amb. Lawrence Nwuruku, a National Commissioner, today in Yenagoa, said this while speaking on the updated Voters’ Register for the state.
He said the publication of the voter`s register was in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.
“The Voters’ Register must be published at least one month to the election.
“As stated by the figures reeled out by the ICT and Voter Registry Departments of INEC, a total of 663,748 voters are eligible to vote in 1,939 voting points after the continuous voter registration exercise held in the state from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9 this year."
Nwuruku said there was an increase of more than 53,000 registered voters in 1,804 polling units from the register used during the 2015 general elections.
“The breakdown based on gender distribution, showed that men constitute 54 per cent while women make up 46 per cent of the voting population.
“Two hundred and fifty students were registered while businessmen were 120,000; fishermen and farmers 80,000; civil servants 70,000; and housewives 10,000.”
Nwuruku also said that a breakdown of the age bracket showed that voters aged 31-50 years were the highest with 46 per cent, 18-30 years, 41 per cent; 51-70, 11 per cent; and above 70 years, 2 per cent.
“We expect all registered voters to come out en-masse and participate during the election,” he stated.
Mr Baritor Kpagih, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Bayelsa, commended the presentation of the voter’s register in the state.
“INEC in the state will intensify preparations for the Dec. 5 Governorship polls.
“I am urging political parties and candidates to sensitize their supporters on the need for peaceful electioneering process,” Kpagih stated.