Massive turn out have been recorded across various centres where the continuous voter registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is ongoing in the state.
The state government had during the 2017 Workers Day Celebration declared eighth and ninth May public holidays to enable the state workforce engage in the exercise.
When the ABS team arrived INEC office at Dunukofia Local government area at about 10 am., the turnout was already massive, as a large crowd was seen, scampering to gain access into the main building where the registration was ongoing, others were leaving the vicinity while INEC staff were seen addressing the people.
It was however discovered, that only one data capturing machine was being used for the local government.
Speaking to the ABS, the Electoral Officer for the local government,Mrs Ifenyinwa Odife stated that the exercise was going on well adding that the surge was as a result of the two day public holidays declared in the state.
The story was the same at Njikoka and Awka South Local government areas as many people came out to be registered.
A cross section of citizens who came from far and wide to participate in the exercise, including the aged and the physically challenged complained of delays in the exercise.
At Amawbia, the Transition Committee Chairman of Awka South Local Government area, Mr Leo Nwuba called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to provide more equipment for the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise at various centres for easier capturing of voters.
Mr Nwuba noted that the aim of the two day public holidays declared by the state government to enable civil servants participate in the ongoing exercise would be defeated if the machines made available cannot attend to the number of people that came out for the exercise.
Mr Nwuba also called for the delimitation of the exercise to ward levels to reduce pressure at the local government offices so that many citizens will not be disenfranchised by the present arrangement.
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