…registers 269,992 new voters
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled the preliminary register of new voters for the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. This announcement was made in a press release signed by Mr. Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to the statement, the register will be available for public scrutiny, claims, and objections for a duration of seven days starting from Wednesday, June 12, 2024. The display will be conducted across all 395 wards in both states and will also be accessible on the INEC website.
Citizens are urged to meticulously review the register and identify any ineligible individuals. To lodge objections, citizens can utilize Forms EC2 and EC3, which can be obtained from INEC officials or downloaded from the commission’s website.
Furthermore, individuals who have recently registered, requested for transfer, correction of personal details, or replacement of lost or damaged PVCs are encouraged to report any discrepancies to the Commission.
The commission equally provided statistics from the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, revealing a total of 269,992 new voters in both states following the suspension of registration on June 9, 2024.
The majority of these newly registered voters fall within the age bracket of 18-34, with students comprising the largest occupational group. Additionally, requests for replacement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), voter transfer, and information updates were noted.
Emphasizing the preliminary nature of these figures, the Commission stresses the importance of further verification as final figures will be published on a state-by-state basis after the conclusion of the claims and objections period, and following the utilization of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to refine the register.
The date for the commencement of the collection of new PVCs will be communicated thereafter.
It also urges the public to actively participate in the display period to facilitate the cleanup of the register as mandated by law.
The commission reiterates the significance of public involvement in safeguarding the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.