Stakeholders in Borno State have appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections to enable more eligible Nigerians to register.

The stakeholders expressed their concern while speaking on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

Usman Ibrahim, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, said the extension was necessary to prevent the disenfranchisement of citizens during the general election.

Mr Ibrahim said the extension would also enable those living in hard-to-reach communities affected by insecurity and poor access to registration centres to register.

He urged INEC to intensify voter education and awareness campaigns through various communication channels to ensure eligible Nigerians were adequately informed about the exercise.

Mr Ibrahim commended INEC officials for their professionalism, dedication and previous efforts to extend voter registration periods.

Similarly, Ahmed Shehu, another Maiduguri resident, said extending the registration period would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by allowing more citizens to obtain their permanent voter cards.

According to him, many eligible citizens remain unable to register due to insecurity, displacement, poverty, inadequate registration centres, poor internet connectivity, transportation challenges and insufficient voter education.

Mr Shehu noted that many young Nigerians would attain voting age before the 2027 elections, while some citizens currently residing abroad were expected to return before the polls and should not be excluded from participating in the electoral process.

He, however, commended INEC’s efforts towards ensuring credible, free and fair elections in 2027.

Also speaking, Umara Bolori, organising secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Borno, appealed to INEC to provide additional time, particularly for first-time registrants.

He said that political parties were supporting mobilisation efforts in remote communities but stressed the need for increased sensitisation before the exercise ends.

Mr Bolori expressed concern that ending the registration long before the election could exclude millions of eligible voters and undermine the inclusiveness and credibility of the electoral process.

Meanwhile, a Maiduguri resident, Bukar Masa, urged Nigerians to participate actively in the 2027 elections, noting that government policies directly affect citizens regardless of whether they vote.

He attributed declining voter turnout to growing public distrust in the political class and called on elected leaders to fulfil campaign promises and improve citizens’ living conditions.

INEC had said the CVR exercise ended nationwide on Sunday. 

(NAN)