Lagos: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State on Wednesday took its ‘Register2Vote’ Awareness Campaign to Tejuosho and Makoko Markets, Yaba, in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area. Leading the team of INEC top management staff and workers, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Ayobami Salami, said the campaign was another step to sensitise eligible residents to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the INEC boss moved round the markets on foot, sensitising people on the need to get registered while jingles conveying the same message in various major Nigerian languages blared through the commission’s public address system. Salami emphasized that the CVR was for Nigerians who had just turned 18 years old and those who had never registered before, seeking fresh registration. He added that eligible residents seeking transfer of their registrations due to relocation could also participate.
Speaking to newsmen at Tejuosho Market, Salami stated that the aim of the campaign was to move closer to the people, especially at market places, to ensure that those who have not registered are able to do so. He highlighted the importance of market women and men in this regard, explaining that the campaign would cover all major markets in the state to ensure no one is left behind.
After the awareness campaign at Makoko, Salami noted that while many older people were aware of the CVR, younger individuals who just turned 18 or 19 were either unaware or indifferent. However, he mentioned that the response during the second phase of the CVR, which began on January 5 nationwide, was better than the first phase in 2025. Salami stressed the importance of bringing the message directly to the people in their workplaces and homes, rather than relying on office-based outreach.
He also emphasized the urgency due to the new electoral timetable, urging people to take advantage of the limited time to register. Salami reassured that votes would count in the forthcoming election and that anyone without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would not be able to vote in the 2027 general elections. He added that INEC would conduct a genuine revalidation of the voter register ahead of the polls to ensure credibility.
Salami cautioned against multiple registrations and mentioned that the team had conducted similar sensitisation campaigns in other popular markets on Lagos Island, Somolu, Oyingbo, Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, among other areas.