Ebonyi Parties, Stakeholders Urge INEC to Extend Voter Registration Exercise

Political parties and other stakeholders in Ebonyi State have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, warning that thousands of eligible voters could be disenfranchised if the exercise ends as scheduled.

The appeal comes as INEC prepares to conclude the third and final phase of the nationwide voter registration exercise on July 26, 2026.

Speaking in Abakaliki on Tuesday, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, said an extension had become necessary to allow more eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), noting that the general election is still more than 100 days away.

According to her, many elderly persons and residents of remote communities have yet to register because of limited access to registration centres.

She warned that ending the exercise as scheduled could deny thousands of citizens the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

Adibe-Nwafor urged eligible residents of Ebonyi State to take advantage of the ongoing exercise by registering or updating their voter information where necessary.

She stressed that voting remains the most effective means of influencing democratic governance.

On the participation of opposition parties in the state, the ADC chairman disclosed that her party had successfully uploaded the names of its candidates for the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and Ebonyi State House of Assembly elections.

She maintained that opposition parties remain actively engaged in the political process in Ebonyi State.

Also speaking, businessmen Fidelis Oge and Michael Igwe appealed to INEC to deploy additional registration personnel and equipment to rural communities across the state.

They said the shortage of registration machines had prevented many eligible voters from completing the registration process.

The stakeholders urged the electoral commission to consider extending the exercise to ensure that all eligible Nigerians willing to register are given the opportunity to participate in the forthcoming general elections.