The Independent National Electoral Commission has urged eligible voters in Ondo State to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise before it ends on Sunday, July 26, warning that failure to do so could deny them the opportunity to vote in the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the appeal on Wednesday while monitoring the third phase of the extended CVR exercise at registration centres in Akure and Idanre.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the REC inspected registration centres along Oda Road in Akure, St. Anthony RCM Primary School, Araromi, Akure, and St. Stephen Anglican Primary School in Idanre Local Government Area.
Agboke said eligible Nigerians who ignored the registration exercise despite being aware of it should not accuse the commission of disenfranchising them.
He noted that inclusion in the national register of voters remained the only requirement for participating in elections.
“People often accuse INEC of disenfranchising them, but if you are aware of the registration exercise and choose not to participate, then you have denied yourself the opportunity to vote. The only way to be eligible for an election is to have your name and details captured in the register of voters,” he said.
The REC expressed satisfaction with the turnout across the centres visited and encouraged residents who were yet to register, transfer their voter registration or replace lost or damaged cards to do so before the deadline.
He also assured those who complete the process before the close of registration that their Permanent Voter Cards would be ready ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The OluAyede of Odo-Ala in Akure North Local Government Area, Oba Bakare Jimoh, commended INEC for the smooth conduct of the exercise, explaining that he visited the commission's office to transfer his voter registration from Akure South to Akure North.
Similarly, an Idanre resident, Mrs Oluwatosin Rachael Akinde, described the exercise as seamless, saying she decided to transfer her voter registration to her current place of residence to enable her vote in future elections.
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