From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Yobe State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, has expressed concern over the low turnout for the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state.
Alhaji Abdullahi made this known on Tuesday during a press briefing in Damaturu, the state capital. He announced a major shift in the commission’s strategy, stating that registration units will now be moved directly to local wards to encourage wider participation.
According to him, the first phase of the exercise, which ended on December 21, 2025, recorded a preliminary total of 55,070 new registrants across the 17 local government areas of the state.
He attributed the low turnout to factors such as seasonal farming activities, insecurity, and the difficult terrain in some parts of the state. To address these challenges, he said the Commission has approved a 50-day ward-level rotation of registration devices across Yobe State.
“To ensure inclusivity and access for all eligible citizens, the Commission has approved the devolution of the registration exercise to the Registration Area (RA) ward level,” the REC stated.
He further explained that the new ward-level rotation of INEC Voter Enrollment Devices (IVEDs) will commence on February 2, 2026, while the final week of the phase will be conducted at local government offices across the state.
Alhaji Abdullahi appealed to stakeholders, including traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and the media, to mobilize eligible citizens to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise.
The INEC boss also urged residents to take advantage of the expanded registration process, emphasizing that participation will ensure their eligibility to choose their leaders in the 2027 general elections and beyond.
He expressed concern over the low collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), revealing that only 1,100 out of 42,756 uncollected PVCs from previous exercises have been collected since August 2025. He therefore called on those who registered earlier but have yet to collect their PVCs to do so for their benefit and the progress of the country at large.