The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded 66,951 newly registered voters in Oyo State within the first week of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which commenced on Monday, August 18, 2025, across the state’s 33 local government areas.

This was disclosed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Dr. Adeniran Tella, during a media briefing held in Ibadan on Tuesday. He described the turnout as “impressive”, calling it a strong testament to the enthusiasm of Oyo residents to participate in Nigeria’s democratic process.

The REC said, “This is more than just a registration exercise, it is a clarion call to action. It marks the beginning of a marathon of civic engagement aimed at empowering every eligible citizen in Oyo State.”

He described the CVR as a fundamental pillar of an inclusive democracy, and said the Commission’s mission is simple yet profound: “To ensure that no one is left behind in the democratic process.”

Dr. Tella revealed that the impressive figure includes individuals who completed online pre-registration, which resumed on August 18. Of the 66,951 registered so far, 4.85 per cent of eligible voters in the state had completed their online pre-registration in just one week.

The exercise moved into its physical phase on Monday, August 25, with eligible citizens — including those who have just turned 18 and those unable to register earlier, now able to complete the biometric data capture (fingerprint and facial scans) at any of the INEC offices in the 33 LGAs or the State Office in Ibadan.

Tella clarified that already registered voters who need to replace lost or defaced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or transfer their registration to a new location are not required to visit INEC offices in person. These services are available online via the Commission’s portal: https://cvr.inecnigeria.org.

The move, he said, is designed to decongest registration centers and make the process more efficient.

For those unable to complete the process online, INEC offices are open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, excluding weekends and national public holidays. Each office is equipped with two INEC Voter Enrolment Devices (IVED) for efficient processing.

The REC emphasised that the sensitisation campaign is critical for building a credible and updated voter register, which he said is “the bedrock of free and fair elections.”

The Continuous Voter Registration exercise will last for one year, and is scheduled to close on August 30, 2026. The Commission is urging all eligible citizens not to wait until the last minute to register.

“This is your opportunity to shape the future of our democracy. Your PVC is your voice, and your vote is your power,” he added.