CVR: INEC sends message to eligible Nigerian voters.

By Laraba Ajibda

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC yesterday urged eligible voters across Nigeria to take advantage of ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

The electoral umpire announced 259,713 registrants so far have pre-registered online since the commencement for voter transfer, requests for replacement of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), update of voter information records and many more on June 28 2021.

The commission also revealed that as part of its mandate during the year long CVR, it will keep Nigerians up to date with its weekly activities while also re emphasizing 19th July 2021 as the date for the beginning of physical registration for persons interested.

National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye disclosed in a statement made available to CAPITAL POST ,he said “We urge every eligible Nigerian to seize the opportunity of the online pre-registration or the in-person option to register as a voter.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met today, Tuesday, 6th July 2021 and discussed, among other issues, the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) which commenced online on 28th June 2021. In our press statement of Tuesday 29th June 2021, we promised Nigerians that after one week of the exercise, we will be giving weekly updates which will include a detailed breakdown of the distribution of registrants by State, occupation, gender and age.

“As at 7am yesterday, 5th July 2021, one week after the commencement of the exercise, 203,497 eligible Nigerians have completed the online pre-registration as fresh voters. The figure rises to 259,713 if applications for voter transfer, requests for replacement of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), update of voter information record etc are included.

“Full details of Week One of the exercise have been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

“For emphasis, the physical or in-person registration is scheduled to commence in all our State and Local Government offices nationwide on Monday 19th July 2021. Eligible Nigerians who wish to register physically and those who have scheduled their appointments to complete their online pre-registration will have the opportunity to do so. Both online pre-registration and the physical registration will go on simultaneously throughout the duration of the CVR. Further details of the schedule of activities and locations for the physical exercise will be made available next week.

“The online pre-registration services are for the following categories of Nigerians:

‘Those who are 18 years and above and have never registered.

“Registered voters who have had any problem during the accreditation for past elections, with either their Permanent Voters’ Cards or fingerprints not being read by the Smart Card Reader (SCR).

“Registered voters who want to transfer their voting location from one place to another.

“Registered voters who want to correct issues with their data, such as misspelt names, dates of birth, etc.

“Registered voters whose Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are lost or damaged.”