By The Yobe State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, has raised concerns over the low turnout recorded during the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state.
Alhaji Abdullahi disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at a press briefing in Damaturu, the state capital.
He announced a strategic shift by the Commission aimed at boosting participation, revealing that voter registration centres will now be relocated directly to wards across the state.
According to the REC, the first phase of the CVR exercise, which ended on December 21, 2025, recorded a provisional total of 55,070 new registrants across Yobe State’s 17 local government areas.
He attributed the low turnout in the ongoing phase to several factors, including seasonal farming activities, security challenges, and the difficult terrain in some communities. To address these challenges, he said INEC has approved a 50-day ward-level rotation of registration devices across the state.
“In order to ensure inclusivity and ease of access for all eligible citizens, the Commission has approved the devolution of the registration exercise to the Registration Area (RA) ward level,” Abdullahi stated.
He explained that the ward-level deployment of INEC Voter Enrolment Devices (IVEDs) will commence on February 2, 2026, while the final week of the exercise will be conducted at local government area offices statewide.
The REC appealed to key stakeholders, including traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and the media, to intensify sensitisation efforts and mobilise eligible residents to participate in the ongoing registration.
He also urged citizens to take full advantage of the expanded registration process, stressing that voter participation is crucial for eligibility to vote in the 2027 general elections and future polls.
Alhaji Abdullahi further expressed concern over the low rate of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection in the state, revealing that only 1,100 PVCs have been collected out of 42,756 uncollected cards from previous exercises since August 2025.
He therefore called on registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so, describing it as vital to both their civic rights and national development.
