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'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the final voter register for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, revealing a significant majority of voters are under 50 years old. This demographic is poised to play a pivotal role in determining the outcomes of these elections.
In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee today Tuesday, August 6, 2024 Edo State now boasts 2,629,025 registered voters, a 4.9% increase from the 2023 General Election while Ondo State has seen a 3.0% increase in registered voters, now totaling 2,053,061.
A detailed breakdown of Edo state register shows that 1,370,061 (52.11%) are male, while 1,258,964 (47.89%) are female. Notably, youths aged 18-35 account for 983,133 (37.4%) of the electorate, while the middle-aged group (36-49 years) comprises 914,806 (34.8%) voters. Collectively, these two groups represent 1,897,939 (72.2%) of the total registered voters.
In terms of occupation, students are the largest voter group, numbering 868,764 (33.05%). Persons with disabilities (PWDs) account for 4,199 (0.16%) of the electorate.
Similarly, Ondo State has seen a 3.0% increase in registered voters, now totaling 2,053,061. Of this number, 1,034,006 (50.36%) are male, and 1,034,964 (49.64%) are female. Youths aged 18-35 constitute 726,944 (35.41%) of the voters, while the middle-aged group (36-49 years) numbers 721,982 (35.17%). Together, these age groups make up 1,448,926 (70.57%) of the electorate.
Students are again the predominant occupational group, with 694,938 (33.85%) of the voters. PWDs in Ondo State number 1,782 (0.09%).
The prominence of younger voters under 50 in both states underscores their potential influence in the forthcoming elections. With youths and middle-aged voters constituting over 70% of the electorate in both states, political parties and candidates will likely focus their campaigns on issues that resonate with these age groups.
INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, emphasized that the detailed breakdown of the voter register by Local Government Areas, gender, age, occupation, and disability status is available on INEC's website and social media platforms.
In the coming days, INEC will announce the timetable for the collection of Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) for all categories of voters in Edo and Ondo States. This will include new registrants from the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), voters who applied for transfers, replacements, and those with uncollected cards from previous registrations.
This development marks a crucial step towards ensuring a transparent and inclusive electoral process in both states, with the substantial representation of younger voters highlighting the evolving dynamics of Nigeria's electoral landscape.
For more detailed information, the public is encouraged to visit INEC's official website and social media channels.
