The Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship (BCOC), Mrs Olawumi Famuyiwa, has called on eligible citizens in the State to take part in the forthcoming nationwide continuous voter registration exercise scheduled to commence with the online pre-registration of voters already ongoing.
Mrs Olawumi Famuyiwa made this known in Ado-Ekiti while featuring on a live audience-participation programme on radio.
She explained that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is an opportunity for residents who have attained the age of 18years to either register for the first time or update their voter details ahead of the forthcoming Ekiti State Gubernatorial polls and the next general elections.
Famuyiwa, who highlighted the importance of voter registration as the state prepares for the forthcoming electoral season,described the exercise as a crucial step to ensure that the details of eligible voters are correctly captured, giving them the power to vote and have their voices heard when it matters most.
According to the Ekiti State Civic Orientation and Citizenship Boss , the exercise is open to: first-time voters who have just turned 18 or “are above that age”, but have never registered before as well as for Anyone whose Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is lost, damaged, or registered in a different location.
She said the exercise was also for residents who have changed their places of residence and need to transfer their polling units to a closer or more convenient location as well as for those who have not collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)
Famuyiwa encouraged individuals with unclear photographs on their cards to obtain new ones, stressing that a valid voter card is essential for meaningful engagement in the democratic process.
She emphasised that the process for the exercise shall involve the Online Pre-Registration starting on Monday, 18th August 2025 and the In-Person Biometrics Capture involving physical presence of the eligible voter starting at all Local Government INEC offices across the Nation on Monday, 25th August 2025.
The Ekiti State BCOC Boss who restated that citizens without PVC would not be allowed to vote in elections however warned those who already have a lost or damaged PVC that they do not need to register again but simply carry out an update on their existing details to avoid multiple entries and subsequent nullification of the voter cards.
Also speaking on the programme , the Special Assistant to the Governor on Civic Orientation, Chief Akinlade Ojo, reinforced the value of the voter card beyond electoral significance, stressing that “the PVC also serves as a crucial means of identification in banks and other official settings.”
Noting that possessing a voter card is not only important for participating in elections but also for everyday transactions, Chief Ojo further stressed that the only way citizens can support their preferred candidates is through their voter cards.
“Without a voter card, you cannot make your voice heard in the election,” he stated,
As the voter registration period approaches, both Mrs Famuyiwa and Chief Ojo are optimistic about increased participation among Ekiti State residents.
They both restated the commitment of the Oyebanji Administration through the State Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship to promoting civic education and voter engagement reflecting the growing awareness of the importance of active citizenship and setting the stage for a robust electoral process in the State.
