INEC Registers 269,992 New-Voters In Edo And Ondo Ahead Of Governorship-Elections (Details)

 INEC Registers 269,992 New-Voters In Edo And Ondo Ahead Of Governorship-Elections (Details)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Tuesday that approximately 269,992 eligible voters were registered in Edo and Ondo States during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the upcoming governorship elections.

Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, stated that these figures are preliminary and the actual number of new voters will be released by the commission on a state-by-state basis.

Olumekun also mentioned that the new voter register will be displayed at various wards across the two states starting Wednesday, June 12, urging residents to check the list for possible claims and objections.

“Statistics from the CVR as of Sunday, June 9, 2024, when the registration was suspended, indicate a total of 269,992 new voters in the two States. Of this figure, 129,246 (47.87%) are male while 140,756 (52.13%) are female. The majority of the registered voters (182,541 or 67.61%) are youths (18-34 years). In terms of occupation, 95,463 (35.36%) are students while 1,588 (0.59%) are Persons with Disability (PWDs). In addition, 24,454 requests for replacement of PVCs, 74,493 applications for voter transfer, and 8,314 for information updates were received,” he said.

Olumekun added that the Commission held its regular weekly meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, to review preparations for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, particularly the CVR in the two states which was suspended on June 9, 2024.

“The next step, as provided by Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022, is the display of the register for claims and objections by citizens for a period of seven days (one week) from tomorrow, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. The display will take place in all the 395 wards across the two States. The register will also be available on our website: [cvr.inecnigeria.org/register](https://cvr.inecnigeria.org/register),” Olumekun stated.

The purpose of the display is for the public to identify any ineligible persons on the register, draw the Commission’s attention to it, and file an objection to the appearance of the name on the register by completing Forms EC2 and EC3 available from INEC officials in all the centers. These forms can also be downloaded from INEC’s website and handed over to officials as provided in Section 9(4) of the Electoral Act 2022.

“Furthermore, fresh registrants and applicants for transfer, correction of personal details, and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs can draw the Commission’s attention to errors or wrong entries for further action. At the end of the period for claims and objections, the Commission will further clean up the register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) before the list of new voters is added to the existing register for the two States,” he explained.

Olumekun emphasized that these are preliminary figures, with final numbers to be published on a state-by-state basis after the claims/objections period and ABIS. The date for the commencement of collection of new PVCs will be announced subsequently.

“The Commission appeals to the public to seize the opportunity of the display of the register to help us clean it up as provided by law,” Olumekun concluded.