INEC Confirms Over 4.6 Million Registered Voters in Edo, Ondo States Upcoming Governorship Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that an impressive 4,682,086 registered voters are set to participate in the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

This vital information was shared by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, during a statement released on Tuesday regarding the finalized voters’ register for these two states.

The elections are poised to take place on significant dates: the Edo State governorship election will occur on September 21, 2024, while the Ondo State election is scheduled for November 16, 2024. The announcement marks a crucial moment as both states prepare for this democratic exercise.

In his statement, Olumekun noted, “The commission met today, Tuesday, August 6, 2024, and approved the final register of voters for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.”

This approval signifies not only the readiness of INEC for the electoral process but also the importance of ensuring that the participants are accurately recorded.

A key aspect of the newly approved voters’ register is its incorporation of fresh entrants from the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) initiative, alongside those who successfully transferred their voter registrations from various states across the Federation to Edo and Ondo.

Breakdown of Registered Voters in Edo State

In Edo State alone, the registered voter count has reached 2,629,025. Of this number, 1,370,061 (52.11%) voters are male, while 1,258,964 (47.89%) are female. This gender distribution indicates a slight male majority among the voters in the state. Furthermore, the current voter register reflects a notable 4.9% increase when compared to the 2023 general election, which recorded 2,501,081 registered voters.

Delving deeper into the demographic breakdown, Olumekun observed that the youth population, comprising individuals aged 18 to 35 years, constitutes a significant portion of the electorate, accounting for 983,133 (37.4%) of the registered voters. The middle-aged group, defined as individuals between 36 and 49 years old, follows closely behind with 914,806 registered voters. Cumulatively, these two age groups represent 1,897,939 (72.2%) of the total voters in Edo State.

Occupationally, a considerable share of the voters are students, numbering 868,764, which equates to 33.05% of the electorate. Additionally, the representation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) is acknowledged, comprising a modest 0.16% of the voters, with a total of 4,199 individuals noted.

Voter Statistics for Ondo State

Turning to Ondo State, the INEC has confirmed 2,053,061 registered voters, with 1,034,006 (50.36%) identified as male and 1,034,964 (47.89%) classified as female. This data marks a 3.0% increase from the previous general election figure of 1,191,344.

When examining the age distribution in Ondo State, young voters aged 18 to 35 years comprise 726,944 (35.41%) of the registered populace, while middle-aged individuals in the 36 to 49 age bracket account for 721,982 (35.17%). Together, these groups represent 1,448,926 (70.57%) of registered voters in the state.

Similar to Edo, students dominate the occupation statistics in Ondo State, as they make up 694,938, or 33.85% of the registered voters. The inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the voter demographic is also highlighted, accounting for 1,782 (0.09%) of the state’s registered electorate.

 Access to Voter Information and Next Steps

Olumekun has emphasized the transparency of the voter registration process, stating that a detailed breakdown of the voter register for each state—classified by local government areas, gender, age, occupation, and disability—has been made available on the INEC website and its social media platforms. This initiative aims to equip the public with essential information ahead of the elections and to bolster trust in the electoral process.

Looking ahead, Olumekun announced that INEC is preparing to release a comprehensive timetable for the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) within the coming days. This process will cater to all categories of voters, including new registrants from the latest CVR, those who have applied for transfers, replacements, and individuals with uncollected cards from prior registrations.