By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Ahead of the 2027 general elections and other subsequent polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on eligible residents of Anambra State to actively participate in the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, while also cautioning against double or multiple registrations, to avoid total disenfranchisement.
The Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Agwu, made the call on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the Commission’s headquarters in Awka, stressing that the CVR exercise, which commenced on January 5, 2026, will officially end on April 17, 2026, with no guarantee of extension.
According to the REC, the current CVR exercise is specifically targeted at preparing a credible and inclusive voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly for citizens who attained voting age after the July 2025 registration exercise that was conducted in the state prior to last year’s governorship election. This ongoing second phase of the CVR, she noted, will also accommodate those who could not register earlier, as well as voters seeking corrections, transfers, or replacement of damaged or lost Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Joined by other senior officers of the Commission, Dr. Agwu expressed concern over the turnout recorded so far, given the importance of voter registration as the gateway to democratic participation. She revealed that no registration was recorded in the first week of the exercise, while subsequent weeks saw a gradual increase in the turnout.
Providing a breakdown of the figures, the REC disclosed that while zero person registered within the first week of the registration window (5th – 12th January); 936 persons registered in the second week; 1,832 persons in the third week; and 1,455 persons in the fourth week, bringing the total number of registered voters in the second phase so far to 4,423 across the state.
She cautioned Ndi Anambra against the usual “fire brigade” approach, urging citizens not to wait until the closing days of the exercise before rushing to registration centres, a trend she said had previously overwhelmed the system and created unnecessary pressure during past exercises.
The REC also re-emphasized her warning against double or multiple registrations, explaining that INEC’s technology now is configured to automatically detect and eliminate all duplicate entries, thereby rendering such efforts futile. She stressed that anyone found to have registered more than once would have all their data expunged from the system, effectively disenfranchising and making them lose their voting rights.
Dr. Agwu clarified that individuals who have previously registered but experienced changes in personal details such as name, residence, or polling unit, or those with missing, damaged, or defaced PVCs, should apply for corrections or replacement rather than attempt fresh registration. She also noted that many of these services can now be initiated without undergoing another physical biometric capture.
“The system does not forgive double registration. Once it detects two captures, it deletes both. That person ends up with nothing,” she warned, stressing that such awareness and voter education as this remain critical to avoiding such costly mistakes.
As part of efforts to decentralise voter registration services and reach eligible citizens at the grassroots, the REC also announced that the Commission has commenced rotation of Integrated Voter Enrolment Devices, IVEDs, across wards in the state, to ensure wider coverage and easier access to registration points. According to her, Electoral Officers at the local government level are working closely with town union leaders and Presidents-General to notify communities ahead of their turns and scheduled visits to their own wards.
Addressing concerns about distance to registration centres, Dr. Agwu explained that eligible voters in Anambra are not required to travel to their villages to register, as registration can also be done at INEC offices, including the INEC Headquarters in Awka, during which registrants subsequently assigned to polling units of their choice closest to their residences where they will vote during election
She also highlighted the growing importance of the PVC beyond elections, describing it as one of the most authentic means of identification in Nigeria today, widely required for banking, official transactions, and identity verification.
Responding the questions about INEC’s engagement with political parties, the REC noted that the Commission maintains regular interactions with political parties as part of its regulatory and oversight responsibilities, ensuring they are adequately informed and guided on electoral processes and compliance requirements.
On questions bordering on technology and the possibility of voters registered in other states voting in their states of origin, Dr. Agwu acknowledged ongoing limitations but assured that INEC is steadily improving its technological infrastructure, adding that Nigeria is already ahead of many African countries in electoral technology and continues to work toward more seamless and improved systems.
Regarding concerns about the reliability of BVAS and registration equipment, the REC, who confirmed that the system worked seamlessly well without any report of glitches in the November 8 governorship election in the state, further expressed confidence that lessons learned from the 2023 general elections are being applied, while also assuring that the 2027 elections will not suffer the same technology-related challenges suffered in 2023.
Asked about the place of undergraduates in the ongoing CVR, Dr. Agwu also disclosed that special arrangements are being made by the Commission to accommodate the undergraduate students across the state, assuring that they won’t be disenfranchised due to their academic commitments.
Clarifying the place of INEC and its relationship with the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) in the forthcoming August 29, 2026 Anambra Local Government elections, as well as the voter register that will be used for the election; Dr. Agwu stated that the exercise constitutionally falls under the responsibility of the ANSIEC. She also explained that while ANSIEC may use the voter register from the last exercise, it could also adopt the updated register from the ongoing CVR if it becomes available before the election, subject to formal request.
While recalling that the July 2025 CVR exercise significantly boosted Anambra’s voter register to about 2,802,790 voters, she further noted that the current second phase registration is designed specifically for the 2027 general elections to ensure higher participation in the election.
Revealing her awareness efforts so far on TVs and radios about the exercise, Dr. Agwu, who commended the media and Anambra journalists for their professionalism and sustained supports to the Commission; also urged them to help intensify the public sensitization efforts and awareness about the ongoing registration.
She further reiterated INEC’s commitment to transparency and service, revealing that she has made her personal phone number publicly available to enable direct communication with citizens, adding that the Commission remains open to feedback and concerns from the public.
The REC concluded by re-appealing to Ndi Anambra to take voter registration seriously, describing it as an indispensable civic responsibility that empowers citizens to shape governance and hold leaders accountable.
In a vote of thanks, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Anambra State, Mr. Obianyi Kenneth Chidi, described the media as critical stakeholders in the electoral process, noting that their role in informing, educating, and mobilising the electorate remains indispensable to the success of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and future elections.
Mr. Obianyi urged journalists to intensify public enlightenment efforts, especially at the grassroots, to ensure that eligible voters are adequately informed about registration centres, rotational schedules, and the dangers of double registration, even as he encouraged citizens to take full advantage of the ongoing exercise within the stipulated timeframe.
