The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that no fewer than 11,839 new voters have been registered in Imo State as part of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise aimed at expanding citizen participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The commission, however, disclosed that the registration exercise has been temporarily suspended in Egbema, located in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state, following security concerns in the area. The revelation was made on Thursday by the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Imo State Office, Mrs. Emmanuella Ben-Opara, during a live appearance on the Brief, a current affairs programme aired on Groove FM in Owerri, the state capital.
According to Ben-Opara, the impressive figure of 11,839 newly registered voters represents individuals who had never been registered before and were therefore entering the electoral database for the first time. She explained that a significant number of the new registrants were young Nigerians who had recently attained the age of 18, which qualifies them constitutionally to participate in elections and exercise their civic responsibilities through voting.
“The figure represents fresh registrations and consists largely of young citizens who have just become eligible to vote, as well as other individuals who were previously unregistered,” she stated. Ben-Opara noted that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise remains one of the commission’s critical responsibilities in ensuring that all eligible Nigerians are given the opportunity to participate in democratic processes.
She said the commission had continued to witness encouraging turnout across various registration centres in the state, especially among youths who are increasingly showing interest in political participation and governance.
The INEC official emphasized that voter registration remains a fundamental requirement for citizens who wish to vote during elections, urging all eligible residents who have not yet registered to take advantage of the ongoing exercise.
She further disclosed that while registration activities have progressed smoothly in most parts of the state, security challenges in Egbema necessitated the suspension of operations there to safeguard both electoral officials and prospective registrants.
According to her, the commission places a high premium on the safety of its personnel and members of the public, making it imperative to halt activities in any location where security threats could endanger lives.
Although she did not provide details of the specific incidents that prompted the suspension, Ben-Opara assured residents that the commission was closely monitoring developments and would resume registration in the affected area once the security situation improved.
“We are committed to ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to register, but we must also prioritize safety. The suspension in Egbema is purely for security reasons, and we hope normal activities will resume when conditions become conducive,” she said.
The development comes amid ongoing efforts by INEC nationwide to strengthen the electoral register ahead of future elections and improve the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Political observers have described the growing number of new registrants in Imo State as a positive sign for democratic participation, particularly among first-time voters who are expected to play a significant role in shaping the country’s political future.
Stakeholders have also commended the commission’s decision to suspend operations in areas facing security risks, noting that the protection of citizens and electoral personnel should remain a priority during electoral activities.
Meanwhile, residents of Egbema have expressed hope that security agencies will restore normalcy in the area to enable eligible voters complete their registration before the exercise concludes. The CVR exercise allows eligible Nigerians who have never registered before to obtain voter registration, while those who have relocated, lost their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), or require corrections to their registration details can update their records.
INEC has repeatedly encouraged citizens to participate in the exercise, stressing that voter registration is the first step toward influencing leadership choices and contributing to the nation’s democratic development.
As the registration exercise continues across Imo State and other parts of the country, attention remains focused on increasing voter participation and ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has an opportunity to be included in the electoral process.
With over 11,000 fresh registrations already recorded in Imo State, electoral officials believe the exercise is helping to expand the voter base while fostering greater civic engagement among the state’s growing population of young voters.
