Ahead of the 2024 off-cycle governorship elections, which will be held in Edo State and Ondo State on September 21, 2024, and Saturday 16 November 2024 respectively, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the resumption of the Continuous Voters Registrations (CVR) in the two states.

INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during the 2nd Regular Quarterly Meeting between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Leaders of Political Parties held on Monday at the Commission’s headquarters, Abuja.

According to the chairman, the CVR in Edo and Ondo States will take place simultaneously from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily including the weekend.

Speaking with political party leaders, the electoral chairman explained that the exercise was resumed to provide citizens with access and allow eligible citizens who are not registered voters to register to vote during the election. He also stated that the CVR is only available to new registrants and those seeking to transfer their registration from another state to Edo and Ondo States.

The chairman further urged the stakeholders and political parties to cooperate with the commission by sensitising the members of the public to follow the instructions as the exercise would be conducted at the ward level and the state headquarters instead of the local government offices, adding that it would further increase inclusivity.

“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. 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 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily including the weekend.

“Taking into consideration the limited time to the Governorship elections, the Commission has decided to conduct the registration at Ward level and our State headquarters instead of our Local Government offices and a few designated centres as was the case in the past.

“This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo State and 203 centres in Ondo State, in addition to our state offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 walk-in registration centres in the two States. There will be no online pre-registration option in the two states because of time constraints.

“Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In the next few days, the Commission will commence the training of at least 794 officials for the exercise.”