The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 general election with a public sensitisation campaign in Edo State, urging eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise before the July 10 deadline.
The awareness campaign, held over the weekend in Benin City, was led by the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Obo Effang, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The exercise targeted major population centres, including Ekiosa Market along 3rd East Circular Road and Oka Market on Upper Sokponba Road, where officials educated traders and residents on the importance of registering to vote ahead of the January 2027 general election.
Speaking during the campaign, Effang described the ongoing exercise as the final phase of voter registration before the polls, urging all eligible Nigerians who have yet to register to do so without delay.
“This is the last and final phase of registration and after today, the people have just 10 days left between now and 10th of July to register.
“So, we think we should use this last opportunity to reach the people where they are in large numbers, and it has really been fruitful as many people who were not aware have been informed and they have said they would be registering.
“It is 10 days; we have two more weeks of five work days each remaining; from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily,” he said.
The ongoing registration exercise is designed to capture Nigerians who have attained the age of 18, those who were previously unregistered, as well as voters seeking replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
It also accommodates eligible voters who have relocated and wish to transfer their voter registration to reflect their new place of residence.
INEC advised prospective registrants to visit any of its offices nationwide or complete the initial registration process through its online Continuous Voter Registration portal before concluding the exercise physically at designated registration centres.
The electoral umpire noted that the CVR exercise, which commenced on May 11, will officially end on July 10.
Residents who interacted with the INEC team commended the commission for taking the sensitisation campaign directly to the markets, assuring officials that they would take advantage of the opportunity to register before the deadline.
