We’re pleased but will address overcrowding at registration centres – EC

The Electoral Commission (EC) says it is taking steps to address overcrowding which characterised most registration centres across the country on the first day of the voters registration exercise on Tuesday.

Although the Commission said it is “pleased with” the events of the first day, there were some “teething issues” with the registration process which it said, are being addressed.

“All in all reports reaching the Commission depict a positive turnout at all the registration centres. The Commission is aware that some centres recorded high numbers leading to some overcrowding. We are taking steps to worth with the security agencies to address possible overcrowding at our registration centres,” it said in a statement.

It has meanwhile challenged the authenticity of a photograph it said has been making rounds on social media purporting to be a scene at one of its registration centres.

The Commission did not however give details about the said photograph, except to say the photo does not show the usual characteristics of EC registration centre set up.

“It just shows a large crowd gathered together in an area,” the Commission said.

The EC has thus asked the public to disregard the said photograph because the scene in it is not a registration centre of the EC.

Also, the Commission said its attention has been drawn to audio circulating on social media in which a claim is made that people who guaranteed for up to 10 applicants will be disenfranchised.

“This is not true…They will not be disenfranchised,” it assured.

Quoting C.I 126, the Commission said any registered voter can guarantee for up to 10 people, but those who exceed the limit “will be picked up by our system and prosecuted”

Accordingly the EC has asked the public to be circumspect and disregard false information that is not rooted in law.