As the Governorship election in Ondo State approaches on November 16, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started the Continuous Voters Registration Exercise (CVR) in 210 centers across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State. Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, stated on Monday, May 27 2024, that the CVR would begin in 397 centers across Edo and Ondo States.

During the exercise, intending voters and those looking to change their voting centers were assisted. Those who had misplaced or damaged their permanent voter cards (PVCs) were also among those captured during the process. Some registration centers in Akure, the State capital, had very few people present.

Some registrants who talked with Channels Television said that the process was slow and complicated. Adelola Adepoju, a business executive, claimed that he had spent more than two hours without being able to register.

“I’ve been here for over two hours now, but I’ve not registered due to poor network,” he explained. They should find a lasting solution to this network issue or else, people will be discouraged from coming for the exercise.” Olajide Ajayi, another registrant, expressed identical sentiments to Adelola. He stated, “I came here yesterday and spent over an hour but did not succeed; I’m returning today and don’t know how long it will take. They should work on their technologies.”

However, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo, Oluwatoyin Babalola, stated that the exercise is proceeding smoothly in the state. She stated that the delay in the voters registration process is beyond INEC’s control.

According to her, over 200 thousand PVCs have yet to be collected in the state, and she encourages owners to come pick them up. Babalola also urged prospective participants to visit registration centers as soon as possible rather than waiting until the activity was nearly completed.

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