As preparations intensify for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday held a strategic meeting with heads of security agencies under the umbrella of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The meeting took place at the INEC headquarters in Sabo-Yaba, Lagos State, with representatives in attendance from the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Correctional Service, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Others present included the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Federal Fire Service, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
REC Calls for Synergy Ahead of CVR
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Lagos, said the meeting marked the beginning of a critical partnership for the smooth conduct of the upcoming CVR, scheduled to commence on August 18.
“This is my inaugural engagement with ICCES as REC in Lagos. I appreciate the unwavering support your agencies have always extended to INEC, which has contributed significantly to our successful conduct of previous elections,” Salami stated.
He emphasized the importance of security agencies in ensuring the success of the registration exercise, which allows eligible citizens to register, update personal details, and transfer their voter registration.
“The success of this exercise hinges on the security and stability your agencies provide. Your collaboration is indispensable to maintaining peace, deterring malpractices, and upholding the integrity of our electoral process,” he said.
He pledged that INEC would continue to collaborate closely with ICCES to provide a secure environment for voter registration and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
“Together, we can ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible process that strengthens our democracy,” Salami concluded.
Registration Details and Timeline
Providing technical insight into the process, Mr. Muyiwa Yussuf, Head of Department, Voter Registration/ICT at INEC Lagos, announced that online pre-registration will begin on August 18 via the commission’s portal:
🔗 https://www.cvr.inecnigeria.org
In-person physical registration, he added, will commence on August 25 at INEC’s 20 local government offices and the state headquarters, running daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except weekends. Anyone on the queue by 3:00 p.m. will be attended to.
Yussuf clarified that the CVR is open to:
Persons who have just turned 18,
Voters seeking to transfer their registration,
Individuals replacing lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and
Those wishing to update their details (e.g. name or address).
He warned that double registration and underage registration would not be tolerated, as the commission has the tools to detect such violations.
As of February 2023, Lagos had:
7,060,195 registered voters
6,214,970 collected PVCs
845,225 uncollected PVCs
20 LGAs, 245 Registration Areas, and 13,325 Polling Units.
Security Agencies Assure Protection
Speaking on behalf of security agencies, DCP Tijani Fatai, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Lagos State Police Command, assured Lagos residents of adequate security throughout the registration period.
“It is our duty to protect lives and property — including INEC officials and facilities. We are fully prepared to provide the necessary security coverage to all CVR activities across the state,” he said.
He urged eligible residents to participate in the exercise without fear, assuring them of their safety.
