By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Determined to give every eligible voter the opportunity to participate in the elections billed for September and November Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in both states.
This information was dropped by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu at the 2nd regular Quarterly Consultative Meeting with political parties in Abuja on Monday.
Yakubu said the Commission has already published the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship election following the conclusion of party primaries and the end of the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates as provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.
According to him, public campaigns by political parties commenced on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 and will end at midnight on Thursday, September 19, 2024; 24 hours before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.
Said he: “Let me therefore seize this opportunity to once again reiterate to party leaders the need to continue to maintain law and order during the electioneering process and beyond.
“As we inch closer to Election Day in Edo State, it is also imperative to remind political parties of the need to adhere strictly to the timeline for the upload of the list of polling and collation agents to the dedicated portal.
“Doing so will enable the Commission to produce and deliver the identity cards in good time for the expected 76,823 Polling Unit agents and 3,587 Ward, Local Government and State collation agents for the 17 political parties participating in the election”.
Speaking further Yakubu said: “Turning to Ondo State, political parties have just concluded their primaries. Eighteen political parties conducted primaries monitored by the Commission.
“I wish to remind you that parties have one week to the deadline for the nomination of candidates which is 6pm on Monday 20th May 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down.
“I urge you to adhere strictly to the deadline. Political parties have been given 23 days (over three weeks) from the end of primaries to prepare and submit the list of only two candidates (Governorship candidate and running mate) to the Commission. There will be no extension of time”.
Meanwhile on the CVR, Yakubu stated that:“As the elections in the two States approach, the Commission has decided to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States to enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so.
“Similarly, those who are registered voters 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. READ ALSO:
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“Let me reiterate that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration. Persons who are registered as voters should not attempt to register again as double or multiple registration is illegal.
“Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does require fresh registration. The CVR in Edo and Ondo States will take place simultaneously from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily including the weekend”.
