By Vincess Okushi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is calling on new registrants for the Edo and Ondo state governorship elections to visit their respective INEC offices for biometric validation.
This crucial step must be completed at the office where they registered during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process.
In a statement dated Thursday, July 18, 2024, Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced that the biometric validation exercise will be conducted from Monday, July 22, to Sunday, July 28, 2024.
The announcement followed the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held on the same day.
During the meeting, the Commission reviewed issues arising from the recent CVR and the display of the voter register across the 395 Wards in the two states.
This review, as mandated by Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022, was part of a manual process to address claims and objections from Nigerians.
Olumekun explained that this manual review enabled further clean-up of the register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
However, the Commission regrets to announce that 246 applicants (82 in Edo State and 164 in Ondo State) did not meet the threshold for seamless accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), a requirement under Section 47(2) of the Electoral Act 2022.
INEC urges all affected registrants to complete their biometric validation within the specified period to ensure their eligibility for accreditation and participation in the upcoming elections.
Although the number constitutes 0.1% of the 269,992 new registrants (pre-ABIS) in the two States, the Commission is determined to give every Nigerian the opportunity to exercise his/her right to vote seamlessly during elections.
The distribution of the 82 registrants in Edo State shows that they come from four LGAs. Ten are from Uwessan Ward 1 in Essan Central LGA, 2 in Emu Ward in Essan South LGA, 69 in Ofunama Ward in Ovia South West LGA and one voter in Irhue Ward in Uhunmwonde LGA.
The 164 voters in Ondo State are from three LGAs. Eleven are from Ofosu/Onisere Ward in Idanre LGA, one voter in Ugbo Ward V in Ilaje LGA while the rest are from Ose LGA (eight in Imoru/Arimogija Ward and 144 in Okeluse Ward).
Before the end of this week, the affected registrants will be contacted using the mobile phones and/or other contact details provided by them during the CVR.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive list, including their Polling Units, has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for immediate action by the affected registrants and for public information.
At the end of the exercise next week, the Commission will provide the final detailed breakdown of the new registrants in the two States, followed by the timetable for the collection of PVCs.
We urge the affected registrants to come forward for the validation exercise.