By Godfrey AKON
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday, commenced the Continuous Voters Registration, CVR, exercise in 397 centres across Edo and Ondo states.
The exercise, which is coming ahead of the governorship election in the two states, was announced in a statement on Monday, by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
Recall that the commission has fixed Edo State governorship election on Saturday, 21st September 2024, while that of Ondo State will hold on Saturday, 16th November 2024.
INEC however said its Edo State headquarters will not serve as a CVR centre but that the CVR was now holding in its Ikpoba Okha LGA office located at 16 Custom Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City because of the flooding of its state headquarters after torrential rains on Friday last week.
“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 our 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.
“A short graphic of the procedure for accessing the registration centres has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms,” the statement read.
The commission urged all eligible citizens in Edo and Ondo States who are not registered voters to seize the opportunity of the CVR to register.
It also noted that the CVR presents 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,” it noted.
INEC also appealed to eligible citizens to come out en masse to register and to do so early, adding that last minute rush should be avoided.
