Olusegun Adeyemo
As the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) gathers momentum across Nigeria, the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Adeniran Tella, has underscored the central role of voter registration in safeguarding democracy. In an exclusive interview with The Journal Nigeria correspondent, Dr. Tella described voter registration as the foundation upon which credible elections are built, while also highlighting Oyo State’s impressive early participation in the exercise.
Sir, how is the ongoing CVR exercise progressing in Oyo State?
The Commission resumed online registration on Monday, August 18, 2025. Within the first week, about 66,951 residents, representing 4.85% of registrants nationwide, successfully completed their online registration in Oyo State. This impressive response clearly indicates that Nigerians remain eager to participate in the democratic process, and Oyo residents are no exception.
What is the essence of the statewide sensitisation campaign?
The official flag-off of the sensitisation campaign entered its physical phase on Monday, August 25, 2025. Citizens who recently turned 18 and pre-registered online, as well as those who have never registered before, can now complete their registration at the state office or any of the 33 INEC Local Government Area offices. At this stage, biometric capturing—including fingerprints and facial recognition—is compulsory for new registrants.
Do residents who already registered but lost their PVCs need to visit INEC offices?
No. Already registered voters do not need to physically visit INEC offices if their PVC is lost, defaced, or if they wish to transfer it from one local government, ward, or state to another. These processes can be done conveniently online via our website: https://cvr.inecnigeria.org/public/getstarted. This helps to reduce congestion at our centres. However, for those unable to process this online, our state and LGA offices remain open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, excluding weekends and national public holidays.
Where are the INEC enrollment device (IVED) machines located?
We have deployed two enrollment devices at the state office and at each of the 33 LGA offices in Oyo State to ensure seamless registration.
How long will the CVR exercise last?
The CVR will run for one year and is scheduled to end on August 30, 2026. Phase One began on August 18 and will end December 10, 2025, followed by the display of the register for claims and objections from December 15–21.
Phase Two will run from January 5 to April 17, 2026, with the register displayed April 20–26.
Phase Three starts May 4 and ends August 17, 2026, with the final display scheduled for August 24–30, 2026.
Why is voter registration so important?
A robust and updated voter register is the bedrock of credible elections. It ensures that electoral outcomes truly reflect the will of the people. The sensitisation campaign is an investment in strengthening the legitimacy of our electoral process both at state and national levels.
What are the objectives of this sensitisation campaign?
The campaign is designed to widely publicise the commencement, timeline, and procedures of the CVR exercise across Oyo State. It aims to reach citizens in all 33 LGAs, encouraging active participation.
What strategies will INEC adopt for sensitisation?
We are adopting multi-channel, grassroots-oriented strategies—engaging community leaders, youth groups, women, and persons with disabilities. We will also intensify media appearances on major radio and television stations across the state to address public concerns directly.
Finally, what role should the media play in this process?
I call on media organisations in Oyo State to serve as vital channels for disseminating accurate information about the CVR exercise. They must help set the agenda for democratic participation through reports, editorials, and programmes, while also countering misinformation and fake news that may emerge during the process.