By Lateef Ibrahim
The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has described the Continuous Voter Registration, (CVR), as a collective national obligation rather than a political competition.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke made this disclosure during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held yesterday, which was organised to formally brief stakeholders on the rollout of the second phase of the CVR and to strengthen collaboration ahead of future elections in the state.
While making a strong appeal to political actors to prioritise peace and civic duty over partisan interests, Dr Agboke said the Commission’s decision to convene the meeting reflected its consultative approach to electoral management, noted that sustained dialogue had contributed to peaceful electoral activities in Osun.
He recalled that similar consultations were held before the first phase of the CVR, adding that issues raised at the time were addressed, resulting in a smooth and violence-free exercise.
“The engagement of critical stakeholders has significantly improved trust, transparency and shared ownership of the electoral process in the state,” the REC said.
He explained that regular interactions had helped to clarify electoral procedures, legal frameworks and the roles of institutions such as security agencies, political parties, civil society groups, traditional rulers, religious leaders and the media.
Dr Agboke, noting that the outcome of the engagements included reduced tension, better cooperation and increased respect for the rule of law during electoral activities, also announced that the second phase of the CVR began on Monday, January 5, 2026, and will run until Friday, April 17, 2026, as part of preparations for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 8, 2026.
The REC disclosed that a new operational model has been introduced, involving a 50-day rotational deployment of voter enrolment devices across communities in each local government area.
“This innovation brings registration services closer to the people, especially those in remote and underserved communities. The arrangement is expected to reduce transportation costs for registrants, decongest registration centres and improve efficiency, while also enhancing transparency through stakeholder endorsement at the local level,” he said.
Dr Agboke outlined the categories of eligible persons to include Nigerians aged 18 and above who have not registered, those who began online registration but are yet to complete biometric capture, and voters seeking transfer or correction of personal details.
“Provisions were also made for the replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards, stressing that the exercise is free of charge. Any attempt to extort members of the public should be reported to the Commission through established channels,” he warned.
Reviewing the first phase of the CVR, the REC said Osun State ranked among the top-performing states nationwide in terms of turnout and output.
He revealed that 209,073 new registrations were completed, alongside 5,462 reviews, 2,543 updates, 16,629 transfers and 8,988 PVC replacements.
Dr Agboke also disclosed that 1,144 Permanent Voter Cards were collected during the period, while 1,084 persons with disabilities were successfully registered.
He attributed the performance to effective stakeholder collaboration, heightened civic awareness among residents and the dedication of INEC staff across the state.
The REC while commending political parties, community leaders, security agencies and civil society organisations for their cooperation, described their roles as crucial to public confidence in the process cautioned against acts capable of undermining the registration exercise.
“The success recorded did not happen by accident; it was the result of collective effort and professionalism. The voter registration exercise is not a contest among political parties, but a national civic responsibility,” he said.
He warned that violence, intimidation and misinformation could threaten democracy and social harmony, reiterating INEC’s commitment to credible and peaceful elections.
Dr Agboke called on stakeholders to intensify voter education, support INEC personnel on the field and encourage early registration to avoid congestion and also appealed to security agencies to remain professional and vigilant throughout the exercise.
Expressing confidence that the second phase of the CVR would surpass the achievements of the first, with sustained stakeholder support, Agboke said, “The strength of our democracy lies in the collective will of the people to do what is right.”
The representative of the Director of Department of State Services, DSS, Osun State, called on the political parties to play the game according to the rule as the service was keeping tabs on their activities.
He revealed that the DSS will provide intelligence to sister security agencies.
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