441,845 New voters registered as Kano leads INEC’s CVR exercise

Kano State has recorded the highest number of new voter registrations in Nigeria’s ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with 441,845 eligible voters added to the electoral register, according to figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The latest data places Kano ahead of all other states, highlighting the state’s strong participation in the voter registration exercise ahead of future elections.

Election observers attributed the impressive turnout to extensive voter sensitisation campaigns carried out across Kano’s 44 local government areas. Community leaders, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and political stakeholders were reported to have played key roles in encouraging eligible residents to register.

The exercise also benefited from expanded registration centres and mobile registration teams, which helped improve access for residents in rural communities, markets and tertiary institutions.

Available data indicates that young people between the ages of 18 and 35 accounted for the majority of the new registrants, reflecting growing political participation among the state’s youth population.

INEC officials said the commission is now focused on cleaning the voter register, printing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and ensuring their timely distribution before the next electoral cycle.

To ease the collection process, the commission said plans are underway to decentralise PVC distribution by establishing additional collection points at the ward level, reducing congestion at local government offices.

The electoral body urged all newly registered voters to monitor its announcements regarding PVC collection and encouraged citizens who are yet to register to take advantage of future registration opportunities.

The CVR exercise is part of INEC’s efforts to expand voter participation and maintain an up-to-date national voter register ahead of forthcoming elections.