INEC Takes Continuous Voter Registration to Lagos Wards
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the devolution of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise from local government areas (LGAs) to Registration Areas (RAs), popularly known as electoral wards, across Lagos State.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos, Mr Ayobami Salami, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing on the second phase of the CVR exercise, held at the commission’s state headquarters in Yaba.
Salami said the decision marks a strategic shift aimed at taking voter registration closer to communities and ensuring broader participation in the electoral process.
According to him, the rotation of INEC Voter Enrolment Devices (IVEDs) among the Registration Areas will commence on February 2 and run for 50 days, ending on April 10.
He added that the final phase of the exercise, scheduled for April 11 to April 17, will be conducted at LGA offices across the state.
“The commission has resolved to devolve registration operations from the Local Government level to Registration Areas across the state,” Salami said.
“This shift is designed to enhance inclusivity, efficiency and transparency while deepening public trust in the electoral process.”
The REC explained that the move was informed by the need to reduce overcrowding at registration centres, improve service delivery and ensure that no eligible voter is excluded due to distance or logistical constraints.
He said designated registration centres, including INEC offices and other approved locations, have been established across the Registration Areas to facilitate smooth operations.
Details of the registration venues, schedules and operating hours, Salami noted, would be communicated through INEC’s official communication channels.
Salami reiterated that the CVR exercise is free of charge and open to all Nigerian citizens aged 18 years and above, including those seeking to register for the first time, transfer their voter registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), or correct personal details.
He stressed that the commission remains committed to conducting a credible and transparent registration process in line with its constitutional mandate.
The REC noted that the second phase of the CVR, which runs from January 5 to April 17, builds on the successes recorded during the first phase of the exercise.
According to him, Lagos State recorded a total of 139,251 registrations in the first phase, comprising 126,668 new registrants and 12,283 transfers.
Salami urged eligible residents who are yet to register or update their voter information to take advantage of the decentralised process to participate in the democratic process.
