INEC Registers 168,187 New Voters in Anambra Ahead of November Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has successfully concluded the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Anambra State, recording a total of 168,187 new voters.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, announced this in a statement issued on Friday in Awka. He revealed that this figure is the highest number of registrants recorded in the state within two weeks since the introduction of the CVR process in 2017. Initially scheduled to end on July 17, the exercise was extended by three days to July 20, 2025, following appeals from various stakeholders.

Olumekun noted that the impressive turnout reflects growing public interest in the electoral process ahead of the off-cycle governorship election slated for November 8 in Anambra. He explained that while the figures remain preliminary pending data clean-up, the breakdown shows 97,832 females (58%) and 70,355 males (42%). He further disclosed that 90,763 registrants, representing 53.97%, are young people aged between 18 and 34 years. Businessmen and women made up the largest occupational group with 62,157 registrants (36.92%), followed by students with 44,243 (26.31%). Additionally, 303 persons with disabilities and 207 persons with albinism were captured during the exercise.

He added that the preliminary voter register would be displayed across the 326 wards from July 26 to August 1, allowing the public to inspect, raise claims, or make objections. After this, the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) will be deployed to eliminate duplicate or ineligible entries, and the updated voter list will be published on a polling unit basis. Olumekun assured that all new Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), as well as those requested for transfer or replacement, would be ready for collection before the election, despite the tight 105-day timeline.

Furthermore, Olumekun disclosed that INEC has completed internal testing of a newly developed in-house portal for political party registration, designed by its ICT department. He revealed that 144 letters of intent from political associations, including 10 new submissions, are currently under evaluation.