The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has pledged full cooperation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the success of the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Ekiti State, scheduled to begin on August 18, 2025. As Nigeria moves steadily toward the 2026 Ekiti governorship election, the CVR process is a crucial step in consolidating democratic participation and ensuring the inclusion of eligible citizens in the electoral process.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Monday during a voter sensitisation programme, NOA State Director, Mrs Oluwakemi Akomolede, reiterated the agency’s commitment to a seamless registration process. She urged eligible voters who have yet to register to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at INEC offices and designated registration centres across the state. “NOA is fully prepared and we are ready to synergise with INEC in Ekiti State to make sure that the CVR exercise goes smoothly and fine and without any hitch,” Akomolede stated.
In alignment with its grassroots mobilisation mandate, NOA announced that its field officers would embark on intensive voter sensitisation campaigns across the state throughout the month. The campaign will focus on educating citizens in rural and urban areas on the importance of participating in the CVR, as voter registration is the gateway to effective democratic participation and good governance in Nigeria.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, also expressed the Commission’s preparedness for a hitch-free CVR process. At a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti that brought together political parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders, and market associations, Omoseyindemi disclosed that online registration would commence on August 18, while physical registration would follow on August 25 at INEC offices and other approved centres to be announced.
Dr Omoseyindemi clarified that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise is open to Nigerians who have newly turned 18 years of age, as well as citizens who have never registered before. The CVR will also accommodate those seeking to transfer their voter registration, correct personal data, or replace lost or damaged PVCs. “INEC has the constitutional mandate to register eligible Nigerians for voting in elections. We will not tolerate any underage person near the registration centres. Don’t mobilise non-Nigerians for the registration. If caught, they will be prosecuted,” the REC warned.
The REC highlighted the strategic importance of the CVR in deepening Nigeria’s democracy, noting that a credible voter register is central to conducting free, fair, and inclusive elections. He assured stakeholders that INEC would deploy technology, transparency, and legal compliance throughout the registration process. “Measures have been put in place to ensure that the CVR is inclusive, accessible and in compliance with the law and INEC guidelines,” he said.
Omoseyindemi called on political parties, civil society organisations, and faith-based institutions to support the exercise through public mobilisation and civic education. He stressed the need for strict adherence to legal provisions, especially regarding multiple registrations and other electoral infractions. “We count on civil society organisations to deploy their reach and influence to educate citizens on the importance of voter registration. We also expect political parties to mobilise their members and eligible supporters following the law,” he said.
With the Ekiti 2026 governorship election on the horizon, the success of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise is crucial to fostering credible electoral outcomes and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions. The collaboration between NOA and INEC in Ekiti reflects a growing commitment to participatory governance and inclusive democratic processes.