By Joy Odor
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has on Tuesday extend the deadline for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise in Edo and Ondo States.
The exercise which was earlier scheduled to end Thursday 6th June was extended to 9th June after reviewing the exercise on Tuesday.
According to a statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the decision was borne out of passionate appeals from Stakeholders allowing more eligible individuals to register.
The Commission informed that about 120,458 eligible voters have so far registered since the exercise commenced on the 27th of May.
“Similarly, the duration of the exercise is extended from 9.00am – 5.00pm daily.
“Furthermore, the number of centres has been increased beyond the 397 wards and the two State offices in Benin City and Akure to include all the 36 Local Government offices of the Commission in the two States.
“More machines will also be deployed to areas identified to have peculiar needs such as difficult terrain or communal issues.
“Like the Ward registration centers, detailed information on the names and location addresses of the LGA offices have also been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for the guidance of registrants in the two States.
“Meanwhile, the exercise is progressing well in the two States. As at yesterday, Monday 3rd June 2024, eight days after the commencement of the CVR, a cumulative total of 120,458 new voters have registered. Of this figure, 55,861 (46.4%) are male while 64,597 (53.6%) are female.
“Majority of the registered voters (82,003 or 68.8%) are youths (18 -34 years). In terms of occupation, 43,419 or 36.8%) are students while 812 (0.67%) are Persons with Disability (PWDs).
“The public should please note that these are preliminary figures. The final figures will be published on State by State basis and for all categories of registrants at the end of the exercise and after data clean-up using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
“The Commission once again appeals to eligible voters to seize the opportunity of the extension to register, transfer or correct personal information on their PVCs as provided by law. No further extension will be granted by the Commission,”the Statement concluded.
