Following Appeals, INEC Extends CVR in Edo, Ondo

By Nathaniel Gana

Tuesday 4th June 2024

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Edo and Ondo states by four days, following appeals by stakeholders. But for the extension, the exercise would have ended tomorrow, Wednesday 5th June. It will now end on Sunday 9th June 2024.

The Commission also expanded the number of registration centres beyond the initial 397 Wards, to now include all the 36 Local Government offices of the Commission in both states.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Sam Olumekun mni, made the announcement in a press statement issued on Tuesday 4th June 2024 after the Commission’s meeting, where the ongoing CVR among others, was reviewed.

With the extension, increased number of registration centres, additional machines being deployed across both states, and an expansion of the duration of the exercise from 9.00am – 5.00pm daily, more eligible persons will have the opportunity to register.

Mr. Olumekun said: “The number of centres has been increased beyond the 397 wards and the two State offices in Benin City and Akure to include all the 36 Local Government offices of the Commission in the two States.

“More machines will also be deployed to areas identified to have peculiar needs such as difficult terrain or communal issues. Like the Ward Registration Centres, detailed information on the names and location addresses of the LGA offices have also been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for the guidance of registrants in the two States.”

The IVEC Chairman also disclosed some registration data, which indicated that youths dominate the new registrants with 68.8 percent so far. His words: “the exercise is progressing well in the two States. As at yesterday, Monday 3rd June 2024, eight days after the commencement of the CVR, a cumulative total of 120,458 new voters have registered.

“Of this figure, 55,861 (46.4%) are male while 64,597 (53.6%) are female. Majority of the registered voters (82,003 or 68.8%) are youths (18 -34 years). In terms of occupation, 43,419 or 36.8%) are students while 812 (0.67%) are Persons with Disability (PWDs). The public should please note that these are preliminary figures.

“The final figures will be published on State by State basis and for all categories of registrants at the end of the exercise and after data clean-up using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS),” he added.

The Commission further appealed to eligible voters to seize the opportunity of the extension to register, transfer or correct personal information on their PVCs as provided by law, stressing that “no further extension will be granted by the Commission.”