Over 1.5 million Nigerians have successfully registered in the ongoing Phase III Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with the total reaching 1,565,873 as of June 26, 2024. The figure includes 620,933 individuals who completed online pre-registration and 944,940 who registered physically at designated centres across the country. INEC emphasized that these statistics remain preliminary and subject to verification during the upcoming public claims and objections period, which will be followed by the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to ensure data accuracy and prevent duplication.
Kano State led the nation with 118,207 new registrants, followed by Lagos with 78,360 and Delta with 76,395. These figures reflect strong participation in key urban and population centres, underscoring the public’s growing interest in civic engagement. However, voter registration was temporarily suspended in Ekiti and Osun states, in compliance with the Electoral Act, ahead of their upcoming governorship elections. This suspension is part of standard electoral procedures to maintain fairness and integrity during critical electoral periods.
Women made up a significant portion of the new registrants, accounting for 821,276 or 52.45 per cent of the total, while men represented 744,597 or 47.55 per cent. This indicates a notable gender balance in voter participation, with women slightly outpacing men in registration numbers. Young people aged 18 to 34 formed the largest demographic group, contributing 1,082,985 registrations, highlighting the active involvement of the youth in the democratic process. Students emerged as the largest occupational group among registrants, with 384,093 new entries, showing a strong commitment to civic duty among the academic community.
INEC also recorded 18,919 registrations by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), reflecting the commission’s efforts to ensure inclusivity and accessibility in the electoral process. The commission continues to encourage all eligible Nigerians who have not yet registered to take advantage of both the online portal and physical registration centres nationwide. With the CVR exercise ongoing, INEC remains committed to expanding voter participation and strengthening the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy. As the country prepares for future elections, the surge in registrations signals increased public confidence and readiness for active political engagement.
Leave a Comment