The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the introduction of a portal to enable eligible Nigerians register as voters online before completing the exercise physically at designated centres nationwide.
The portal was designed by INEC engineers and produced overseas.
The Commission is projecting a total of 20 million new registrations before the end of the CRV exercise. According to INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, this is the first time voter registration is handled partially online.
Yakubu who gave the hint during a quarterly meeting with media organizations, said the innovation is consistent with the “Commission’s commitment to continue to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process in Nigeria.”
He craved the support of the media to create awareness about the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
According to him, “the expansion of voters’ access to polling units prepares the ground for the discharge of another important responsibility of the Commission. The registration of eligible Nigerians as voters is one of the immediate tasks before the Commission.
“Consequently, in the next one week i.e. Monday 28th June 2021, the Commission will resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide. In doing so, the Commission is introducing a portal to enable eligible Nigerians to commence registration as voters online before completing the exercise physically at designated centres nationwide.
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“This is first time a major exercise of this nature is handled partially online consistent with the Commission’s commitment to continue to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process in Nigeria. Just like the expansion of voter access to Polling Units, the Commission appeals to the media for support so that this novel idea will also be successful.
“The CVR will be a major issue for discussion at this meeting. The Commission will demonstrate the procedure for the proposed online registration and also present the new INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) to you shortly.
“We intend to undertake the CVR exercise over a period of at least one year. The success of the exercise depends to a considerable extent on citizens’ awareness through voter education. There will be new registrants, requests for intra-State and inter-State transfers as well as the replacement of voters’ cards as provided by law…”