The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 505,906 eligible Nigerians have completed their online pre-registration for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise within five days of commencement.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during the flag-off of the commission’s nationwide sensitisation campaign to boost public participation in the voter registration process. Yakubu, represented by National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, described the turnout as a strong indication of Nigerians’ commitment to democracy.
“As of midnight of August 22, 505,906 citizens have pre-registered. This is a testament that Nigerians believe in our democracy and in the commission’s effort to strengthen the electoral process,” he said.
The CVR, which began with the online phase on August 18, will move to the physical registration stage on August 25. At that stage, both pre-registrants and new applicants are expected to complete their registration at designated INEC state and local government offices, where their biometrics will be captured.
INEC said physical registration would take place at 811 centres nationwide, including its 774 local government area offices, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.
The commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, confirmed readiness for the in-person registration. “Our offices are ready. From August 25, people will be attended to across all our offices in the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
In the FCT, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Malam Aminu Kasimu Idris, urged registration officers to uphold professionalism and diligence during the exercise. He spoke at the opening of a two-day training for registration officers from the six Area Councils and INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The commission’s Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, stressed the importance of efficient use of technology and well-defined processes for a successful CVR exercise. A total of 66 registration officers in the FCT were trained ahead of the physical registration scheduled to begin on Monday.
