The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the publication of the preliminary register of new voters in Edo and Ondo states. This development follows the suspension of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in these states on June 9, 2024.
In a press release on June 11, 2024, Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, detailed the next steps in the voter registration process. According to Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022, the register will be displayed for claims and objections from June 12 to June 18, 2024, in all 395 wards across Edo and Ondo. The register will also be available online at cvr.inecnigeria.org/register.
“The purpose of the display is for the public to identify any ineligible persons on the register, draw the Commission’s attention to it, and file an objection to the appearance of the name on the register,” Olumekun explained.
Citizens can file objections by completing Forms EC2 and EC3, available from INEC officials or downloadable from the Commission’s website.
The process also allows fresh registrants and applicants for transfer, correction of personal details, and replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to report errors or wrong entries for correction.
As of June 9, 2024, INEC recorded 269,992 new voters in Edo and Ondo states. Of these, 47.87% are male and 52.13% are female. A significant portion, 67.61%, are youths aged 18-34, and 35.36% are students. Additionally, 1,588 Persons with Disability (PWDs) registered. The Commission also received 24,454 requests for PVC replacements, 74,493 applications for voter transfer, and 8,314 for information updates.
INEC will clean up the register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) after the claims and objections period. The final voter figures will be published on a state-by-state basis. The date for the commencement of new PVC collection will be announced later.
Olumekun urged the public to participate in the process to ensure a clean and accurate voter register.
“The Commission appeals to the public to seize the opportunity of the display of the register to help us clean it up as provided by law,” he said