Nigeria’s electoral umpire in Rivers State, on Thursday, decried the low turnout by registered voters in collecting their permanent voters’ card.
The data released by the Independent Electoral Commission INEC showed that a total of 3, 118, 638 persons registered to vote in the state.
Of the registered number of voters in the state, 2, 525, 053 cards have been collected while a total of 593, 585 cards have not been collected by their owners.
The resident electoral commissioner of INEC in Rivers State, Obo Efanga while speaking at an awareness campaign with traditional rulers and other stakeholders revealed that the development is worrisome.
He said stakeholders must inform the people of the importance of collecting their voters’ card as it is the only way that they can exercise their individual franchise and vote for candidates of their choice.
He stressed that registration for voters’ card has since ended, adding that there is still an available window for people to collect their cards and prepare themselves for elections.
