The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final figures for newly registered voters in preparation for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

According to a press release from Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Edo State has recorded 119,206 new voters, while Ondo State has 58,708. This announcement follows the preliminary figures released on June 11, 2024, and the completion of data verification using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

Olumekun clarified that these numbers exclude 8,847 applications for voter transfers into Edo State and 3,132 into Ondo State from other regions of the country. Additionally, applications for transfers within the two states have already been integrated into the voter register.

“These figures do not include the applications for transfer into Edo and Ondo States from other states, nor do they cover internal transfers within the states, as these are already captured on the voter register,” Olumekun stated.

INEC is expected to release the comprehensive and final register of voters for both states in the coming days. Detailed analyses of the new voter registrations, including breakdowns by local government areas, gender, age, occupation, and disability status, have been made available on INEC’s website and social media platforms for public transparency.

The Edo State governorship election is scheduled for September 21, 2024, with seventeen political parties presenting candidates. The Ondo State governorship election will follow on November 16, 2024, also featuring seventeen political parties, although no female candidates are among the governorship contenders.

The final voter register will provide an updated and detailed list of eligible voters for the forthcoming elections in both states.