INEC Bows To Pressure, Extends Anambra Voter Registration Exercise

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday July 17, 2025, announced an extension to the   ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise in Anambra State.

The decision to extend the exercise is coming on the heels of the widespread calls  by many interest groups, including the Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth, for the registration process to be extended.

The Source reports that the Anambra State Chapter of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Comrade Uzo Ekemezie, had earlier on Thursday, condemned the exercise, alleging shortage of registration materials, and INEC officials.

According to the group, the avoidable glitches trailing the exercise have made it difficult for many eligible persons to be captured.

The Ohaneze Ndigbo Youths expressed concern that such unnecessary bottlenecks and difficulties may have been  part of an orchestrated plot to disenfranchise eligible voters in the State in the  forthcoming polls.

But in a statement, the  INEC, while acknowledging the high level of voters turn out, said the exercise, rather than ending today Thursday July 17, has been extended to Sunday July 20, 2025.

The electoral umpire noted that the decision to extend the exercise was informed by appeals from well meaning quarters.

According to the Commission, after the extended period, the voter register will be publicly displayed to allow for a period of claims and objections.

This is as it promised to carry out a further clean-up of the data using Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS.

“The Commission is pleased with the turnout of registrants in Anambra State and the peaceful conduct of the CVR  in all the 326 registration centres in the State.

“As of yesterday, Wednesday, 16th July, 2025, 96,085, new voters have successfully registered in nine days.

“On average, the Commission registered over 10,600 voters per day. In addition, 12,595 voters applied for transfer of their registration both within and outside the state, while 7,061 persons applied for the update of their records, or to the replacement of their damaged ,or lost Permanent Voters Cards  PVCs.

“The CVR in Anambra ends today.  However, in response to appeal from citizens, the Commission hereby extends the exercise for three more days. It will now end on Sunday, 20th July 2025.

“Thereafter, the Commission will display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law, followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS .

“Subsequently, the detailed breakdown of the new registrants by age ,gender ,occupation and disability will be published for public information .

“At this preliminary stage, 56,017 (%58) of the new registrants are female , while ,%50,429( %52.48 are young people between the ages of 18 and 34″ the INEC statement reads in part.”