Guber polls: INEC to resume voter registration in Edo, Ondo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will resume the continuous voters’ registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo states.

The Edo state governorship election is scheduled for September 21, while that of Ondo will hold on November 16.

Speaking on Monday at a meeting with political parties, Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chair, said the commission’s decision to resume registration is to enable more eligible citizens to vote.

He added that those who were already registered elsewhere now have the opportunity to transfer their registration to Edo and Ondo — or from one location to another within the two states.

“Let me reiterate that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration. Persons who are registered as voters should not attempt to register again as double or multiple registration is illegal,” he said.

“Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does require fresh registration.

“The CVR in Edo and Ondo states will take place simultaneously from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9am to 3pm daily including the weekend.”

Yakubu said given the limited time before the elections, INEC has decided to conduct the registration at ward level and its state headquarters instead of its LGA offices.

“This means that there will be 192 ward registration centres in Edo state and 203 centres in Ondo state, in addition to our state offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 walk-in registration centres in the two states,” he said.

“There will be no online pre-registration option in the two states because of time constraint.

“Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

“In the next few days, the commission will commence the training of at least 794 officials for the exercise.

“The locations of the registration centres as well as other relevant information have been compiled in a detailed 28-page document included in your folders for this meeting.

“The same information will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information shortly.

“In addition to the registration of voters, the commission will also make available the uncollected permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) for collection during the CVR.

“In the coming days, the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in our offices in the two states and simultaneously uploaded to our website.”