INEC: PWDs account for 0.59% of new voters in Edo, Ondo States

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that out of the 269,992 newly registered voters in Edo and Ondo States, 1,588 individuals, or 0.59%, are Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

This information comes as part of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise carried out ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections.INEC’s data also reveals that a significant portion of the new voters comprises youths, with 182,541 individuals aged between 18 and 34, making up 67.61% of the total new registrations.

Additionally, students represent a notable segment of the new voters, with 95,463 registrants, or 35.36%.

This substantial increase in registered voters is expected to have a significant impact on the electoral process in both states as the new register of voters will be on display at the various wards across the two states from Wednesday, June 12 and asked residents to check the list for possible claims and objections.

The registration exercise is part of a broader initiative to enhance voter participation and ensure the integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral process.

The National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

He affirmed that the figures were still preliminary figures as the actual number of new voters will be released by the commission on state by state basis.

According to him, Statistics from the CVR as at Sunday 9th June 2024 when the registration was suspended, indicates a total of 269,992 new voters in the two States. Of this figure, 129,246 (47.87%) are male while 140,756 (52.13%) are female.

“Still, the majority of the registered voters (182,541 or 67.61%) are youths (18-34 years). In terms of occupation, 95,463 or 35.36%) are students while 1,588 (0.59%) are Persons with Disability (PWDs).

“In addition, 24,454 requests for replacement of PVCs, 74,493 applications for voter transfer and 8,314 for information update were received.

“The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday 11th June 2024. The meeting reviewed preparations for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, particularly the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States which was suspended on Sunday 9th June 2024.

“The next step as provided by Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022 is the display of the register for claims and objections by citizens for a period of seven days (one week) from tomorrow, Wednesday 12th June 2024.

“The display will take place in all the 395 wards across the two States while register will also be available on our website: https://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 by completing Forms EC2 and EC3 available from our officials in all the centres.

“The Forms can also be downloaded from our website – https://inecnigeria.org/?page_id=13655 – and handed over to our officials as provided in Section 9(4) of the Electoral Act 2022.

“Furthermore, fresh registrants and applicants for transfer, correction of personal details and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs can draw the Commission’s attention to errors or wrong entries for further action.

“At the end of the period for claims and objections, the Commission will further clean up the register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) before the list of new voters is added to the existing register for the two States” he said.

The Commission therefore explained that the final figures will be published on State by State basis after the period for claims/objections and ABIS.

It noted that the date for the commencement of collection of new PVCs will be announced thereafter and appealed to the public to seize the opportunity of the display of the register to help us clean it up as provided by law.