The All Progressives Congress (APC), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been warned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop mobilizing underage voters ahead of the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) election in Ekiti State in advance of the governorship election in 2026.
In a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, INEC announced that in-person registration will begin on August 25, 2025, while the online phase of the CVR will begin on August 18, 2025.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, stated that the Commission would work with security forces to ensure a peaceful and credible exercise.
He urged political actors to abstain from organizing underage or ineligible people, warning them that they would face arrest and punishment as well as those who aided them.
“Let me repeat that political parties should not mobilize people who are not eligible, especially those who are under 18 for the CVR exercise. They will be detained and charged if found guilty. Security organizations have received information and will be involved. To verify eligibility, those who are in the voting age must present their birth certificates. Anyone who allegedly possesses fake documents will be detained, according to Omoseyindemi.
The REC explained that the CVR exercise will be conducted across INEC offices in the state’s 16 local government areas, as well as at designated centers, using technology to ensure transparency and compliance with electoral rules.
He claims that those who have just turned 18 are eligible voters as well as those who have lost their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and those who want to transfer or update voter information.
“Our democracy needs to be deepened,” says CVR. He continued, “It gives eligible citizens the opportunity to be included in the National Register of Voters, as well as allowing transfers, corrections of personal details, and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs,” he continued.
Oluwakemi Akomolede, the state director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), echoed the call for credible participation and stated that the organization would increase public education efforts to raise awareness.
She urged political parties and civil society organizations to support mobilization efforts and reiterated that “we are committed to raising awareness of the importance of the CVR as a means of increased electoral participation.”
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply