After conducting a review meeting with stakeholders, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced an extension of the voters’ registration period for Edo and Ondo States. Initially scheduled to end on June 5th, 2024, the registration deadline has been extended to June 9th, 2024, in response to appeals from stakeholders. This extension aims to provide more eligible individuals with the opportunity to register.

In addition to the extended deadline, the commission has also increased the duration of the registration exercise, which will now take place from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Furthermore, the number of registration centers has been expanded beyond the initial 397 wards. The commission has included all 36 Local Government offices in Benin City and Akure as registration centers, ensuring wider accessibility for the public.

To address specific needs in certain areas, the commission will deploy additional registration machines to locations with challenging terrains or communal issues. Detailed information regarding the names and addresses of the Local Government offices has been uploaded on INEC’s websites and social media platforms to assist individuals in locating their nearest registration centers.

The registration process has been progressing steadily in both states. As of June 3rd, 2024, a total of 120,1458 new voters have registered, with 55,861 (46.4%) being male and 120,458 (53.6%) being female. The majority of registered voters, accounting for 68.8%, fall within the youth category of 18-34 years old. Among the registered individuals, 36.8% are students, and 0.67% are persons with disabilities.

It is important to note that these figures are preliminary and subject to change. The final figures will be published on a state basis and for all registration categories at the conclusion of the exercise. The data will undergo a thorough clean-up process using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) before publication.