The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the registration of 184,064 new voters in Benue State as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise enters its final phase.

This update was provided by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the commission’s headquarters in Makurdi.

The surge in registration numbers is attributed to a massive mobilization effort across the 23 local government areas of the state.

According to the REC, the commission deployed additional data capture machines to high-density areas and local government headquarters to ensure that eligible citizens, particularly those who have recently turned 18 or relocated to the state, were not disenfranchised.

The commission noted that the high turnout reflects an increased level of political awareness among the residents of Benue ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

Beyond the new registrations, INEC also reported that thousands of existing voters took advantage of the exercise to apply for transfers of their polling units or for the replacement of lost and damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Professor Egwu emphasized that while the registration phase is winding down, the commission will soon commence the display of the preliminary voter register for claims and objections. This critical step allows the public to scrutinize the list, identify names of deceased persons, or report any ineligible registrants before the final list is certified.

The commission has urged all new registrants to remain patient as the processing of the physical PVCs begins at the national level. The REC assured stakeholders that a structured distribution plan would be implemented across the state to ensure that every validly registered voter receives their card in a timely manner. He also warned against double registration, noting that the commission’s automated biometric identification system (ABIS) would effectively flag and invalidate any multiple entries, potentially leading to the prosecution of offenders.

As the exercise concludes, civil society organizations and political parties in the state have been encouraged to continue their advocacy for peaceful participation. INEC reiterated that a clean and credible voter register is the foundation of any transparent election, and the successful capture of over 180,000 new voters in Benue is a significant milestone in the state’s democratic preparation.