In a bid to maximise gains of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise in Bayelsa State, the Independent National Electoral Commission has set aside September 11 to flag off its voter education roadshow.
The roadshow, which is being organised through its Voter Education, Publicity and Gender Department, according to Mr Christian Utong, who heads the department.
Utong disclosed on Saturday during a strategic engagement with accredited Voter Education Service Providers in Yenagoa.
The meeting brought together civil society groups, advocacy networks, and community partners committed to enhancing voter sensitisation for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which runs from August 2025 to August 2026.
Utong explained that the roadshow will serve as a direct channel to engage residents across towns and rural communities through drama, music, and interactive outreach.
He stressed that the initiative aims to dismantle misinformation around the CVR, encourage voter status checks, and ensure that all eligible citizens secure their Permanent Voter Cards.
He explained that CVR is strictly for citizens who have not registered before, those who have recently turned 18 years, and individuals with lost, defaced, or damaged PVCs.
Utong warned that multiple registration remains an electoral offence and that with the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System, which uses both fingerprint and facial recognition, such irregularities will be automatically detected.
His words: “INEC is committed to credible, inclusive, and transparent elections. Our sensitisation efforts are not just about numbers, but about ensuring that women, youths, persons with disabilities, and hard-to-reach communities are carried along. Democracy thrives when everyone has a voice.
“We are organising the roadshow to address misinformation about the CVR, encourage voter status checks and get all eligible citizens to get their permanent voter cards.
“The CVR is strictly for citizens who have not registered before, those who have just turned 18 and those with lost, defaced or damaged PVCs
“I must warn that multiple registration remains an electoral offence because the Automated Biometric Identification System, which uses both fingerprint and facial recognition, will detect such irregularities.”
The voter education activities are expected to intensify throughout the CVR period, with September 11 marking the first phase of mass mobilisation.
INEC assured residents that its officials will be on the ground during the events to provide guidance, resolve voter registration issues, and assist citizens with status verification.
The commission urged Bayelsans to take full advantage of the exercise, reminding them that the PVC remains the only valid instrument for exercising their democratic right.
