INEC registers 184,064 new voters in Benue as CVR enters its final phase.

…REC pledges transparency, professionalism, fairness in Commission’s activities

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that 184,064 new voters were registered in Benue State during the first two phases of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) campaign.

Mallam Aminu Idris, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, revealed the figures in his first press briefing at the commission’s Makurdi office on Thursday.

He said the first phase added 55,866 registrants, while the second phase added 128,198.

The figure reflects only new registrations; thousands more were added through transfer requests, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and updates to voter information.

The third and final phase of the CVR began on 11 May 2026 and is scheduled to finish on 10 July 2026.

He urged any eligible residents who have reached voting age but remain unregistered to register before the deadline.

“Cumulatively, the first and second phases of the CVR exercise recorded a total of 184,064 new registrants to be added to the existing figure.”

He also noted that the majority of new registrants were youths aged 18 to 34.

He warned against double registration, stressing that persons already captured in the voter register should not attempt to register again, saying, “It is pertinent to emphasise that those who have been previously registered, with their names captured in the Register of Voters, need not register again. Failure to comply might lead to a total removal of the name from the Register or more punitive measures,”