INEC Reopens Voter Registration for Upcoming Elections in Edo, Ondo

As the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states draw near, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is gearing up to restart the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of INEC, made the announcement in Abuja during the second regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties.

According to Prof. Yakubu, the CVR will start on May 27 and run through June 5, 2024. Along with informing party leaders of the vacancies in the national and state Houses of Assemblies, he also reported to them that three states and one federal constituency nationwide had lost members to death or resignation.

During the meeting, Prof. Yakubu emphasized that registered voters could transfer their registration from other states across the federation to Edo and Ondo states. He also mentioned that individuals already registered would have the flexibility to relocate their voting credentials within the confines of the two states.

The Edo State governorship election is slated for September 21, 2024, while the Ondo governorship poll is scheduled for November 16, 2024.

Prof. Yakubu stated, “As the elections in the two states approach, the commission has decided to resume the Continuous Voter Registration in the two states to enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so. Similarly, registered voters also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other states of the federation to Edo and Ondo states or from one location to another within the two states.”

He reiterated that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration. He warned that persons who are registered as voters should not attempt to register again, as double or multiple registration is illegal. He also mentioned that lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does not require fresh registration.

The CVR in Edo and Ondo states would be held simultaneously from Monday, May 27, to Wednesday, June 5, from 9 am to 3 pm daily, including at the weekend. Prof. Yakubu highlighted the integration of uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards into the registration process and the establishment of 397 walk-in registration centres to enhance accessibility.

To address time constraints ahead of the elections, registration would be held at the ward level and state headquarters to ensure a more efficient and inclusive process for voters.

Prof. Yakubu said, “Taking into consideration the limited time to the governorship elections, the commission has decided to conduct the registration at ward level and our state headquarters, instead of our local government offices and a few designated centres as was the case in the past.”

He further appealed to political parties in Edo State to adhere strictly to the timeline for the upload of the list of polling and collation agents to the dedicated portal, while urging political parties in Ondo State to nominate their candidate within the specified period.

He said, “As we inch closer to Election Day in Edo State, it is also imperative to remind political parties of the need to adhere strictly to the timeline for the upload of the list of polling and collation agents to the dedicated portal.”