Traders and entrepreneurs accounted for the largest occupational group in the recently concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Anambra State, representing 36.9 percent of the 168,187 new registrants recorded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC, in a statement released Thursday by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed that the figure marks the highest number of registrants ever recorded within two weeks in the state since the inception of the CVR in 2017.
The exercise, which was originally scheduled to end on July 17, was extended by three days to July 20 following appeals from citizens. The commission described the turnout as unprecedented, with a notable demographic showing strong interest in participating in the upcoming November governorship election.
Of the 168,187 new voters, 97,832 (58 percent) were female and 70,355 (42 percent) male. Youths between the ages of 18 and 34 constituted the majority, with 90,763 registrants making up 53.9 percent of the total.
Occupational data provided by the commission showed that 62,157 registrants identified as traders and entrepreneurs, while students made up 44,243 or 26.3 percent. Other occupational groups were not detailed in the release.
The registration also recorded 303 persons with physical disabilities and 207 individuals with albinism, indicating growing inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process.
INEC said the next step would be the display of the preliminary register of new voters across all 326 wards in Anambra State from Saturday, July 26 to Friday, August 1, 2025, for public scrutiny, claims, and objections.
Olumekun added that following this stage, the new entries would be subjected to the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) before being integrated into the existing register and published by polling unit.
“The commission will then announce the dates and locations for the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for new registrants, as well as those who applied for transfers or replacements of lost or damaged cards,” he said. “PVCs from previous registration exercises will also be available for collection.”
With just 105 days to the Anambra governorship election, INEC reassured voters that all new registrants would receive their PVCs in time to participate in the poll.
Meanwhile, INEC disclosed that it has received 10 additional letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties, bringing the total number of applicants to 144. The commission said it has completed testing of a new online portal for party registration, developed by its ICT department.
“The details of these new associations, including their names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships, are published on our website and other platforms,” Olumekun noted, promising continuous updates on the commission’s activities.
