The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a four-day extension for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo states. Initially scheduled to end on June 5, the exercise will now conclude on June 9, 2023.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, it was revealed that approximately 120,458 eligible voters have registered since the exercise commenced on May 27.
“The Commission met today, June 4, and reviewed the ongoing CVR in Edo and Ondo states, originally set to end tomorrow,” Olumekun stated. “Following appeals from stakeholders, the Commission has approved an extension from June 6 to June 9 to enable more eligible persons to register. Additionally, the registration hours have been extended from 9 am to 5 pm daily.”
The number of registration centers has expanded beyond the initial 397 wards and the two state offices in Benin City and Akure. Now, all 36 Local Government offices in the two states will serve as registration centers. More machines will be deployed to areas with difficult terrain or communal issues to facilitate the process.
Detailed information regarding the names and locations of these local government offices has been made available on INEC’s website and social media platforms to assist registrants in both states.
The exercise is reportedly progressing well. As of June 3, 120,458 new voters have registered, with 55,861 (46.4 percent) being male. Notably, 82,003 (68.8 percent) of the registered voters are youths aged 18-34, 43,419 (36.8 percent) are students, and 812 (0.67 percent) are Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
INEC urges eligible voters to take advantage of this extension to register, transfer, or correct personal information on their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as provided by law. The Commission emphasized that no further extensions will be granted.
