The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that 3,104 fresh voter registrations and 1,290 transfers were recorded in Ondo State during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise between August 25 and September 2.
Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), revealed this in Akure on Thursday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to her, the period also saw 23 new registrations of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), 443 corrections, 575 cases of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) replaced, and 410 PVCs distributed.
She explained that the registration is taking place across the 18 local government headquarters in Ondo State, with two additional centres at INEC’s state headquarters in Akure.
Babalola expressed satisfaction with the turnout since the commencement of e-registration on August 18 and physical capturing on August 25. However, she decried the low collection rate of unclaimed PVCs in the state.
“Ondo currently has over 285,000 uncollected PVCs. Out of this number, only 410 people have collected theirs, which is very discouraging,” she said.
The REC appealed to eligible citizens to make use of the opportunity provided by the CVR exercise, stressing that voter registration is the only pathway to participating in the forthcoming elections.
“The only way to exercise your right and choose leaders of your choice is by registering and collecting your voter card,” she added.
Also speaking, Fr. Luke Amuleya, a 50-year-old registrant, commended INEC for what he described as a seamless process. He urged more citizens to participate, noting that the voter card is a crucial tool for electing credible leaders.
“Instead of complaining about poor governance, people should come out for this exercise—it is for their own good and that of the country,” he said.
Amuleya noted that recent developments at the grassroots level had rekindled his hope in governance, citing improved electricity supply in his village and the completion of a long-abandoned bridge project.
“With these improvements, I am encouraged that the system is gradually becoming trustworthy. For the CVR exercise, I would rate INEC 95 percent because we are not in a perfect world,” he added.