Off-cycle guber polls: INEC begins voter registration in Edo, Ondo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced continuous voter registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo states.

On May 13, the electoral body announced that it would resume the CVR ahead of the Edo and Ondo off-cycle governorship elections scheduled for September 21 and November 16, respectively.

In a statement on Monday, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, said the exercise commenced on Monday in 397 centres in the two states.

Olumekun said the CVR that was scheduled to be held at the INEC headquarters in Benin would take place at the Ikpoba Okha LGA office due to the recent flooding.

He added that INEC has shared hard copies of the names and addresses of the centres with stakeholders for easy access to the CVR locations in the two states.

The INEC commissioner said the commission has also uploaded the same to its website and social media platforms.

“In addition, the Commission is releasing an easy online locator of the registration centres. Interested persons can send an sms to a dedicated number (09136913660) from their mobile phones indicating the name of the State, Local Government Area and Ward,” the statement reads.

“In return, they will receive the detailed address of the centre and a Google map to lead them there. Alternatively, interested registrants can simply visit our website http://cvr.inecnigeria.org/locator.

“A short graphic of the procedure for accessing the registration centres has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms.

“We urge all eligible citizens in Edo and Ondo States who are not registered voters to seize the opportunity of the CVR to register.

“It is also an opportunity for those who wish to transfer their registration from other States of the Federation to the two States or from one location to another within the States to do so.

“Similarly, requests for replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) can be made at the registration centres.”

The national commissioner said uncollected PVCs would also be available at the registration centres for collection on the presentation of the temporary voters’ cards (TVCs) by registered voters in person.

“No cards will be collected by proxy,” he said.

“The commission once again appeals to eligible citizens to come out en masse to register and to do so early. Last minute rush should be avoided.”