Ahead of the September 21 and November 16 Edo and Ondo governorship elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday commenced Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) of prospective voters.
The CVR is to enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so and give those who are registered voters to also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other states of the federation to Edo and Ondo states or from one location to another within the two states.
INEC national commissioner and chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun who disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, said the exercise is holding in 397 centres in the two states.
Olumekun, however, said as earlier announced by the Commission, the CVR is holding in INEC Ikpoba Okha LGA office located at 16 Custom Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City due to the flooding of its State Headquarters following torrential rains on Friday last week.
He said to facilitate easy access to the CVR locations in the two states, the commission has already shared the hard copies of detailed names and addresses of the centres with stakeholders and simultaneously uploaded same to its website and social media platforms.
„In addition, the Commission is releasing an easy online locator of the registration centres. Interested persons can send an sms to a dedicated number (09136913660) from their mobile phones indicating the name of the State, Local Government Area and Ward.
„In return, they will receive the detailed address of the centre and a Google map to lead them there. Alternatively, interested registrants can simply visit our website http://cvr.inecnigeria.org/locator.
„A short graphic of the procedure for accessing the registration centres has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms.
„We urge all eligible citizens in Edo and Ondo States who are not registered voters to seize the opportunity of the CVR to register. It is also an opportunity for those who wish to transfer their registration from other States of the Federation to the two States or from one location to another within the States to do so.
„Similarly, requests for replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voters‘ Cards (PVCs) can be made at the registration centres.
„Furthermore, uncollected PVCs will also be available at the registration centres for collection on presentation of the Temporary Voters‘ Cards (TVCs) by registered voters in person. No cards will be collected by proxy.
„The commission once again appeals to eligible citizens to come out en masse to register and to do so early. Last minute rush should be avoided,“ the statement reads.
