The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has concluded the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Anambra State, recording 168,187 new registrants ahead of the November governorship election..
The commission stated that the figure is the highest ever recorded within two weeks in the state since the exercise was introduced in 2017.
INEC, in a statement on Thursday, by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the registration, initially scheduled to end on July 17, was extended to July 20 following appeals by citizens.
According to the preliminary figures, 97,832, representing 58 per cent of the new voters, are female, while 70,355, translating to 42 per cent, are male.
Youths aged 18 to 34 constitute the majority with 90,763 (53.9 per cent) registrants. By occupation, 62,157 (36.9 per cent) are traders and entrepreneurs, while 44,243 (26.3 per cent) are students.
The commission also captured 303 persons with physical impediments and 207 with albinism, among other categories of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
He said: “The immediate next step is to display the preliminary register of new voters for claims and objections by citizens who are the ultimate owners of the register. This will take place in all 326 Wards in Anambra State from Saturday, July 26, 2025, to Friday, August 1, 2025.
“Once this process is concluded, including the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), the new registrants will be added to the existing register and published on Polling Unit basis ahead of the election.
“Thereafter, the commission will announce the dates and locations for the collection of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for new registrants and those who applied for transfer or replacement of their lost or damaged cards.
“The PVCs from previous registration will also be available for collection. With 105 days to the election, the commission is aware of the tight timelines, but we wish to reassure all new registrants in Anambra State that their PVCs will be available for collection ahead of the election.”
On political party registration, the commission announced that it has received 10 additional letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties, bringing the total to 144.
Olumekun said the new online portal for processing party registration, designed and built by INEC’s ICT department, has been tested and approved for deployment, adding that a report on eligible associations would be presented at the commission’s next meeting.
“The details of the new associations, including their names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships are published on our website and other platforms for public information. We will continue to update Nigerians on all our activities,” he added.
