Youths lead as INEC online registration jumps to 1,377,733

Participation in the ongoing continuous voter registration has continued to be on the increase, as the number of online pre-registrants has now reached 1,377,733, the Independent National Electoral Commission said on Wednesday.

The commission also said 120,600 citizens completed their physical registration since the exercise commenced on July 26, 2021.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, released the figures in a statement in Abuja titled, ‘Update on the Continuous Voter Registration.’

He said, “Over the last four weeks, the commission has been giving Nigerians weekly updates on the online registration of voters under the CVR exercise, which commenced on June 28, 2021.

“Last week, the in-person (or physical) registration commenced nationwide. Eligible citizens who initiated their registration online and those who preferred to register in-person ab initio had the opportunity to do so in the commission’s state and LGA offices nationwide.

“From this week, the commission will be giving weekly updates on both the online pre-registration and the completed physical registration. Therefore, the two-page update released in the previous weeks has been upgraded to four pages to provide Nigerians with additional information on completed registration.

“As of 4 pm on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, the number of fresh online pre-registrants is now 1,377,733, while 120,600 citizens have completed their physical registration since the exercise commenced on Monday, July 26, 2021.

“Young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 34 are still leading in both online registration (1,074,260 or 65 per cent) and completed registration (84,619 or 70 per cent). In terms of occupation, students are leading in both pre-registration (529,219 or 32 per cent) and completed registration (48,897 or 41 per cent).”