The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it registered 238,387 persons in Nasarawa State during the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mohammed Abubakar, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, disclosed this on Wednesday in Lafia at an inter-agency stakeholders’ State Information Committee meeting on Voter Education and Enlightenment.

Mr Abubakar said that the state’s voter register had increased from 1,899,312 during the 2023 general elections to 2,137,699 following the recent registration exercise.

He explained that the figure comprised fresh registrations and completed voter transfers from other states.

The REC described the turnout as encouraging, saying it reflected growing awareness among residents of the importance of voter registration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the preliminary voter register was being displayed in all 147 electoral wards from October 9 to October 15 to enable registered voters to make claims, raise objections and collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

Abubakar urged registered voters to use the opportunity to verify their details, including names, photographs, dates of birth and polling units.

He said that after the seven-day display, voters could visit INEC offices at the headquarters of the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state to collect their PVCs.

“The PVCs from the first phase of the registration exercise, conducted from August 18 to December 10, 2025, are being delivered to the 147 electoral wards during the seven-day exercise and thereafter at the LGA level.

“Those who registered during subsequent phases of the CVR should not panic, as their PVCs are being processed and will be distributed as soon as they are ready,” he said.

The REC added that PVCs would continue to be distributed until seven days before the general elections, assuring eligible voters that unclaimed cards could still be collected from INEC offices.

He also said that the commission would sanitise the voter register by removing ineligible persons, deceased persons, foreigners and underage persons where complaints were received.

Mr Abubakar said the stakeholders’ meeting was part of the commission’s efforts to educate the public and promote peaceful and credible elections in line with its mandate.

Similarly, Safiya Garba, the commission’s Head of Voter Education, Gender, Publicity and Inclusivity in the state, said the meeting replicated the arrangement at the national level to strengthen voter sensitisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ms Garba attributed the success of the registration exercise to sensitisation campaigns conducted by INEC and other stakeholders across the state.

Heads of participating agencies at the meeting pledged to support the commission’s voter education and sensitisation efforts to encourage wider participation in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The heads of the agencies at the meeting included Augustine Akwe-Doma, State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Tukura Danladi-Sule, Director of Education and Mobilisation, representing Nawani Aboki, Nasarawa Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism and Isaac Ukpoju, State Correspondent NAN. 

(NAN)