INEC Bayelsa Deepens Collaboration with Accredited Service Providers on Voter Education, WOMAN Participates
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bayelsa State, through its Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Inclusivity Department, has held a robust engagement with accredited Voter Education Service Providers to strengthen and sustain voter enlightenment programs across the state.
The meeting, which was presided over by Mr. Christian Utong, Head of Voter Education in the state, brought together stakeholders and civil society partners, including the WOMAN , who actively participated in the deliberations.
The session was aimed at fostering collaboration for a more coordinated sensitization drive, especially as the Commission prepares to roll out road shows across Bayelsa to create public awareness and deepen voter education for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Utong underscored the critical role of service providers in bridging the gap between INEC and the grassroots. He noted that effective voter education is essential to address common misconceptions surrounding the CVR, while ensuring that eligible citizens fully understand the process.
He emphasized that the CVR is strictly for Nigerians who have never registered before, those who recently turned 18 years, as well as individuals who have lost, defaced, or damaged their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He cautioned that multiple registrations remain prohibited, warning that offenders risk invalidation of their records and possible prosecution.
The Head of Voter Education further explained that the Commission now deploys the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which uses bimodal verification—facial recognition and fingerprint authentication—to eliminate multiple registrations and ensure credibility in the voter register.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, participating organizations, including WOMAN, pledged their commitment to amplifying sensitization in communities, particularly among women, youths, and persons with disabilities. They stressed that inclusivity and gender-sensitive approaches remain vital in mobilizing citizens to actively participate in the electoral process.
The engagement also agreed on an intensified schedule of road shows across major road, from Ekeki park to Swali market in Bayelsa. The activities, which will hold on September 11, 2025, are designed to escalate awareness, encourage voter status checks, and provide real-time assistance to citizens in navigating the registration and PVC replacement processes.
INEC Bayelsa reiterated its determination to ensure that no eligible voter is left behind, while urging citizens to take advantage of the CVR window to secure their PVCs as the foundation for credible elections.
