Ogun’s Voter Registration Drive: Analyzing the Surge of 85,739 New Enrollees
By Abiodun Lawal
Abeokuta, Dec. 12, 2025
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun State has announced a significant milestone in democratic participation, registering a total of 85,739 new eligible voters during the first phase of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. This four-month window, spanning from August 25 to December 5, 2025, highlights a robust civic engagement effort ahead of future elections.
The detailed breakdown, provided by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi, reveals a clear preference for digital processes among registrants: 57,598 individuals (67.2%) completed their pre-registration online, while 28,141 (32.8%) opted for in-person, physical registration at designated centers. This 2:1 ratio underscores a successful push by INEC to integrate technology into the electoral process, potentially increasing accessibility for younger, tech-savvy demographics and reducing queues at physical centers.
Beyond the Numbers: The Significance of the CVR Exercise
The Continuous Voter Registration is not merely an administrative task; it is the foundational pillar for credible elections. For Ogun, a politically dynamic state with a history of keenly contested polls, these 85,739 new voters could meaningfully influence electoral outcomes. The exercise is crucial for first-time voters—primarily youths who have turned 18—and for those who have relocated and need to transfer their voting location to reflect their current residence.
Mrs. Saseyi announced the successful conclusion of this first phase on Wednesday, December 10. She also confirmed that the second phase of the nationwide CVR will resume on January 5, providing another opportunity for eligible citizens yet to register.
The Critical Phase of Claims and Objections: A Civic Duty
In accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022, the process now moves to a vital stage for safeguarding the register’s integrity. From Monday, December 15 to Sunday, December 21, the preliminary register of voters will be displayed for public scrutiny at all 20 Local Government Area offices in Ogun State, daily from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
This “Claims and Objections” period is a democratic safeguard designed to:
- Verify Accuracy: Allow newly registered voters to confirm their details are correctly captured.
- Report Errors: Correct misspelled names, wrong dates of birth, or incorrect polling unit assignments.
- Clean the Register: Enable citizens to identify and object to the inclusion of ineligible persons (e.g., minors, non-citizens) or the names of deceased individuals, which is a common challenge to electoral credibility.
“This critical phase allows eligible citizens to verify their information, report errors, and identify ineligible or deceased persons,” Saseyi stated. “Citizens who newly registered, transferred their voting locations, or updated their details are encouraged to participate.”
How to Participate in the Claims and Objections Process
For citizens wishing to engage, the process is straightforward. Each display center will have designated forms (EC5 for claims/corrections and EC6 for objections) available for collection. It is imperative for all new registrants, those who requested transfers, and those who updated their information to visit their local INEC office to check their details. This simple act of verification is a powerful contribution to ensuring the final voter register is accurate and credible.
Mrs. Saseyi reiterated INEC’s commitment to a credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral process, calling for continued public cooperation to consolidate Nigeria’s democratic foundations. The success of this registration drive and the ensuing verification phase in Ogun will serve as a bellwether for national electoral preparedness as the country looks toward future polls.
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni
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