Politics
THE Independent National Electoral Commission says it will resume Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)in Edo and Ondo States as the governorship elections in the two states draw closer.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated this at the Second Regular Quarterly Consultative Meeting with Political Parties for 2024 on Monday in Abuja.
“As the elections in the two States approach, the Commission has decided to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States to enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so.
“Similarly, those who are 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.
“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.
“Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does require fresh registration,” Yakubu said.
The chairman said that the CVR in Edo and Ondo States would take place simultaneously from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily including the weekend.
Yakubu said that taking into consideration the limited time to the governorship elections, the commission has decided to conduct the registration at Ward level and State headquarters, instead of Local Government offices and a few designated centers as was the case in the past.
“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.
“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,” Yakubu said.
The commission, therefore, appeals to political parties and other stakeholders to join INEC in mobilising prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the deadline approaches when the registration centres are inundated by eleventh hour registrants.
The chairman said that in addition to the registration of voters, the commission would also make available the uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for collection during the CVR.
He said that, 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.
“Again, we encourage those who have not collected their PVCs in the two States to seize the opportunity to do so,” Yakubu said.
The INEC chairman informed party leaders about the existence of vacancies in National and State Assemblies caused by either death or resignation of Honourable Members in three States and one Federal constituencies across the country.
“As soon as preparations are concluded, the Commission will announce the dates for bye-elections in Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers State, the Bagwai/Shanono State constituency of Kano State, the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State and the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.”
F.A
May 13, 2024
Tags: Continuous Voter Registration Edo elections INEC Ondo elections
