Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, stressing that every eligible Nigerian should be given a fair opportunity to register and participate in future elections.
Obi expressed concern over reports of large numbers of prospective voters who were yet to complete their registration due to challenges encountered at various registration centres. He urged the electoral body to consider extending the exercise to accommodate those who had not been captured before the deadline.
According to him, the right to vote is a fundamental aspect of democracy, and no eligible citizen should be denied the opportunity to exercise that right because of administrative or logistical constraints. He emphasized that expanding access to voter registration would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process and encourage wider civic participation.
The former Anambra State governor also called on Nigerians, particularly young people and first-time voters, to take advantage of the registration period by enrolling and obtaining the necessary voter credentials needed to participate in future elections.
Meanwhile, INEC recently announced an extension of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, citing feedback from stakeholders and the need to provide additional opportunities for eligible Nigerians to register. The commission said the decision reflects its commitment to ensuring that every qualified citizen has a reasonable chance to be included in the national register of voters ahead of future electoral activities.