The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 42,211 Nigerians have applied for its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), out of the 59,331 accounts that were created, 24hours after its launch. 

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye confirmed this development on Tuesday, in Abuja.

According to him, out of the total number of applicants on the CVR pre-registration portal, which was launched on Monday,  27,759 individuals applied for new voter pre-registration services; 11,177 requested for voter review record, while 1,669 applied for voter transfer.

“Within the same period, 42,211 applications were received out of which 27,759 individuals applied for new voter pre-registration services; 11, 177 requested for voter review record; 1, 669 applied for voter transfer; 853 asked for information update; 335 applied for replacement of lost or damaged PVCs; while 418 applicants requested for uncollected PVCs.”, he said.

He added that the commission would provide Nigerians with weekly updates on the activities on the portal and the online registration status and the physical CVR would commence on July 19 at INEC state and local government offices nationwide.

He said, “Those that are unable to register online will be attended to from the scheduled date.

Every eligible Nigerian will have an opportunity to register. The CVR process will continue for at least one year.

“Scheduled appointments for online registrants will also begin on July 19.

The commencement date for physical CVR in all the 2, 673 registration centres nationwide will be determined based on the evaluation of the security situation in the country.”

Mr Okoye stated that INEC launched the online pre-registration services for the following categories of Nigerians:

“Those who are 18 years and above and have never registered; Registered voters who have had any problem during the accreditation for past elections, with either their Permanent Voters’ Cards or fingerprints not being read by the Smart Card Reader (SCR).

“Registered voters who want to transfer their voting location from one place to another.

Registered voters who want to correct issues with their data, such as misspelt names, dates of birth, etc. Registered voters whose Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are lost or damaged.”