The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it recorded 119,206 new registrations for the Edo governorship election in September.
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Yakubu Mahmood, also advised all newly registered voters to go to designated locations to pick up their voter cards in person. He said collection by proxy will not be accepted in the designated centers.
Professor Mahmood said this on Monday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC’s Conference Room, in Abuja.
In his address, the INEC chairman said the electoral body was committed to free and fair election in Edo State.
While some of the new PVCs are for first-time voters, some are for voters who misplaced theirs or lost theirs. Some of the new PVCs are for voters who changed locations or required change of details.
According to him, 8,847 voters transferred their registration from other states to Edo State, while 46,171 voters transferred within the state.
He explained that 4,808 voters applied for correction of details, while 5,406 voters applied for replacement due to damage and loss.
Mahmood said, “For Edo State, 119,206 new voters were registered. In addition, 8,847 voters transferred their registration from other States of the Federation to Edo State while 46,171 voters transferred their registration within the State i.e. from one part of the State to another.
“As provided by law, the Commission has updated the records of 4,808 voters that applied for correction of names, addresses, or dates of birth from previous registrations and also replaced 5,406 lost or damaged PVCs. Put together, 184,438 voters of various categories were served by the Commission during the last CVR in Edo State. They will be issued new voters’ cards (PVCs).
“I am glad to report that all the cards have been printed and delivered to our office in Benin City. From there, they have been handed over to our Electoral Officers (EOs) for collection by voters. To ensure a seamless process, the cards will be available for collection in all 192 Wards in the State where the last CVR took place from Thursday 22nd August 2024 to Monday 26th August 2024 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily including the weekend.
“Thereafter, the collection will continue in our 18 Local Government offices across the State from Wednesday 28th August 2024 to Sunday 8th September 2024 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, including the weekends. Detailed information on the dates and location of the 210 centers (192 Wards and 18 LGA offices) has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.
“Furthermore, the Commission has developed a register containing, among other information, the names and photographs of the 184,438 voters to ease the collection of their PVCs.”
INEC explained that it would make available soft copy of all registered voters for the Edo governorship election available to all political parties that fielded candidates for the election.
Yakubu Mahmood further called on organizations and media houses interested in monitoring or covering the election to proceed with accreditation before deadline.
He continued, “Still as part of our preparations for the Edo State Governorship election, the softcopy of the final and comprehensive register of voters will be presented to each political party fielding candidates in the election tomorrow Tuesday 20th August 2024 in our State office in Benin City. This is in fulfillment of item 10 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.
“Let me also seize this opportunity to remind media organizations seeking to cover the Edo State Governorship election that the accreditation portal closes at 6.00 pm on Thursday 5th September 2024.
“As at this morning, 63 organizations have uploaded the details of 584 personnel for accreditation for the election. We urge all interested organizations that are yet to apply to note the deadline and act accordingly.”
