INEC’s 2-Week CVR Extension Inadequate, Demands Continuous Registration, Diaspora Voting

INEC’s 2-Week CVR Extension Inadequate, Demands Continuous Registration, Diaspora Voting

By  Emmanuel Iyoho

                

                  Dr Tommy Etim Okon

ABUJA — The Coordinator of Arise with Renewed Hope Initiative, Abuja Chapter, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, has described the Independent National Electoral Commission’s two-week extension of the Continuous Voter Registration as inadequate, urging INEC to adopt a continuous registration system and introduce Diaspora voting ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC on Friday announced a two-week extension of the nationwide CVR to Friday, July 24, 2026. The exercise began August 18, 2025. The commission also announced a self-service online portal, `cvr.inecnigeria.org`, to go live July 8, 2026.

Okon, in an interview in Abuja, said two weeks would not capture all eligible Nigerians, especially with campaigns expected to start in August.

“INEC has the right to extend the voter registration exercise. Ideally, it should be a continuous exercise because every day, people are turning 18. With elections coming in January, INEC should have extended it to at least one month,” he said.

He urged INEC to make provisions for Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote, citing the crisis in South Africa. “Diaspora voting is important. A lot of them may be disenfranchised. INEC should extend registration to one month to accommodate them,” he added.

He argued that Nigeria’s democracy is mature enough for online voting for citizens abroad. “There is nothing holding INEC back from introducing online voting for the Diaspora,” he said.

Okon called for three key reforms: continuous voter registration, Diaspora voting, and automated cleaning of the voters’ register. He proposed registration should remain open until three months to an election.

“Voting is our weapon. Since we don’t have guns, our gun is our voting power. You cannot say someone turned 18 today and cannot vote because they didn’t register,” he stated.

He also suggested INEC use technology to automatically remove deceased persons using death certificates to prevent rigging.

Okon said leaders in FCT have been mobilizing residents to register and collect PVCs. He appealed to government to ensure citizens in Abuja and the 19 northern states are not denied their voting rights.

He urged Akwa Ibom people in Abuja to participate. “If you do not want a particular government, let your PVC speak for you. You do not have a gun. Use your PVC and vote wisely,” he said.