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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bayelsa State, through its Voter Education, Publicity and Gender Department (VEPGD), has fixed September 11, 2025, as the official date for the flag-off of its voter education road show.
The announcement was made by the Head of Department, Mr. Christian Utong, during a strategic engagement with accredited Voter Education Service Providers (VESP) in Yenagoa.
The meeting brought together civil society groups, advocacy networks, and community partners committed to enhancing voter sensitization for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which runs from August 2025 to August 2026.
Utong explained that the road show would 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 every eligible citizen secures their Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
According to him, the 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.
He cautioned that multiple registration remains an electoral offence, warning that with the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) — which uses both fingerprint and facial recognition — such irregularities will be automatically detected.
“INEC is committed to credible, inclusive, and transparent elections. Our sensitization 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,” Utong stated.
The Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN), among other partners, pledged support for the campaign. They noted that the road show provides an opportunity to strengthen participation among marginalized groups and to boost public confidence in the electoral process.
The voter education activities are expected to intensify throughout the CVR period, with September 11 marking the first phase of mass mobilization. INEC Bayelsa has assured residents that its officials will be on 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.
