By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says a total of 1,379 342 million Nigerians participated in its online pre-registration for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) within one week nationwide.
Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja.
It would be recalled that the nationwide online pre-registration of voters commenced on Monday Aug. 18.
Olumekun stated that as at Sunday Aug. 24, a total of 1,379 342 Nigerians registered nationwide in just one week.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the first weekly update of the exercise provided such details as state, gender, age, occupation and disability of the prospective registrants.
NAN reports that Osun has the highest number of pre-registration with 393,823 (28.51 per cent) followed by Lagos with 222,205 (16.11 per cent), while Ebonyi has the lowest with 261 (0.02 per cent).
The further breakdown according to olumekun shows that 661,846 (47.96 per cent ) are males and 717,856 (52.04 per cent) are females.
“Young people between the ages of 18 and 34 constitute the majority of the registrants with 860,286 (62.37 per cent).
“In terms of occupation, 374,534 (27.15 per cent) are students while the figure for persons with disability is 27,089 (1.96 per cent),” Olumekun said.
He added that full details of the resignation had been published on INEC website and other official platforms for public information.
Olumekun who reminded Nigerians that the physical registration kicked off Monday, in 811 States and Local Government offices nationwide, urged eligible registrants to register for the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“This will afford those who prefer the in-person option to register at the centres and those who chose the online pre-registration method to complete their registration.
“Once again, the commission appeals to the public that the ongoing voter registration is only open to Nigerian citizens who are at least 18 years old and who were not registered voters.
“Double or multiple registration is a violation of the law,” he siad.
Olumekun, however, said that inter-state/FCT and intra-state/FCT transfer of voters as well as the replacement of lost or damaged voters cards were allowed during the CVR.
He noted that the exercise would continue for one year until Aug. 30, 2026.
“However, the commission urged all intending registrants not to wait until the deadline.
“From experience, the registration centres are inundated by eleventh hour amidst appeals for extension of time, and this is not good,” he said.(NAN