The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a strong caution to political parties in Ekiti State, including the “All Progressives Congress (APC)”, “African Democratic Congress (ADC)”, and “Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”, urging them not to mobilise underage individuals for the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The warning was delivered during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, where INEC announced that the online CVR phase would begin on “August 18, 2025”, with in-person registration to follow on “August 25, 2025”.
Bunmi Omoseyindemi, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti State, emphasised the Commission’s commitment to transparency and fairness, adding that INEC would collaborate with security agencies to guarantee a peaceful and credible registration process.
He warned political stakeholders against mobilising ineligible or underage persons, stressing that both the individuals and those aiding them would be arrested and prosecuted.
“Let me reiterate that those not eligible, especially those under 18, should not be mobilised by political parties for the CVR exercise. If they are caught, they will be arrested and prosecuted. Security agencies have been briefed and will be involved. Those attaining voting age must bring their birth certificates to verify their eligibility. Anyone caught presenting fake documents will be arrested,” Omoseyindemi stated.
He explained that the CVR would be conducted across INEC offices in all 16 local government areas of the state, as well as other designated centres, with technology deployed to ensure the integrity of the process in accordance with electoral guidelines.
Eligible participants, according to Omoseyindemi, include individuals who have just turned 18, those who lost their “Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)”, and others requesting transfers or corrections of their voter details.
“The CVR exercise is critical to deepening our democracy. It provides an opportunity for eligible citizens to be captured in the National Register of Voters, and also allows for transfers, corrections of personal details, and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs,” he added.
Also speaking at the meeting, the State Director of the “National Orientation Agency (NOA)”, Oluwakemi Akomolede, reinforced the need for credible participation, saying the agency would intensify public sensitisation to raise awareness of the CVR.
“We are committed to sensitising the public on the importance of the CVR as a pathway to increased electoral participation,” she noted, calling on political parties and civil society groups to support the mobilisation process.
Meanwhile, Ekiti State APC Chairman, Sola Elesin, applauded INEC’s efforts toward the CVR and revealed that the party had activated its internal structures to mobilise eligible members ahead of the “June 20, 2026” governorship poll.