The Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that 2,128,288 Permanent voter cards have been collected by registered voters in edo state since February 2023.
Professor Rhoda H. Gumsus, the National Commissioner overseeing Edo State, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Benin City on Thursday, gearing up for the September 21 governorship election.
Represented by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anugbum Onuoha, Gumsus stated that these collected PVCs come from the 2,501,080 registered voters in the state, with 373,030 PVCs remaining uncollected.
The continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise, which commenced on June 28, 2021, was halted on July 31, 2022, to prepare for the 2023 general election, as mandated by Section 9(6) of the 2022 Electoral Act.
Citing the reason behind the suspension, Gumsus emphasized the Act’s provision allowing the commission to cease voter registration activities, including updates and revisions to the voter register, at least 90 days before an election.
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With almost two years passed since the CVR suspension, she noted the likelihood of numerous young individuals attaining voting age during this period.
“In preparing for 2024, Edo State governorship election, it is imperative to update the register of voters, to allow persons who turned 18 since the exercise was suspended in 2022. as well as those who have not registered before or wish to transfer their registration to their new location to participate in the forthcoming election.
“The CVR exercise is proposed for 10 days to commence on May 27 and end on June 5, 2024. This will give prospective registrants, enough time to register before the governorship election.
“Similarly, those who are registered voters also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from
other states of the federation to Edo or one location to another within the state,” she said.
However, she called upon all stakeholders to collaborate with the commission in rallying potential registrants to participate enthusiastically in the upcoming exercise. Additionally, the INEC National Commissioner urged individuals in the state who have yet to collect their PVCs to take advantage of this opportunity.
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