By mercy Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission, Tuesday announced extension of Continuous Voter Registration in Edo and Ondo States by three days.
INEC also disclosed that preliminary figures of new registered voters for both states is 120,458.
The Commission made the disclosure at the end of Tuesday 4th June 2024 management meeting.
Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee said the extension followed appeals by stakeholders.
He said: “Among other matters, the meeting reviewed the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo States scheduled to end tomorrow Wednesday 5th June 2024.
“However, following appeals by stakeholders, the Commission has approved the extension of the exercise from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th June 2024 to enable more eligible persons to register.
“Similarly, the duration of the exercise is extended from 9.00am – 5.00pm daily.
“Furthermore, 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.”
Olumekun also disclosed that the exercise was progressing well in the two States.
He said, “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.”
Given the breakdown, the Commissioner
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).”
INEC also said “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).”
The Commission, therefore 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, warning that “No further extension will be granted by the Commission.”
