The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has refuted allegations of figure manipulation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) had recently raised concerns about possible manipulations of the online pre-registration process in Lagos State and other areas.

INEC’s response came via its Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Lagos State, Mr. Taiwo Gbadegesin, who described the speculation as “unfounded and inaccurate.” According to Gbadegesin, the registration figures in Lagos are consistent with past trends and reflect the state’s demographic characteristics, including a large, youthful, and tech-savvy population.

During the previous CVR exercise in 2021-2022, Lagos recorded the highest number of registrations nationwide, with the state’s total registered voters increasing from 6,570,291 to 7,060,195. Gbadegesin noted that the current figures align with this established pattern, demonstrating the effectiveness of the commission’s deployment and public awareness efforts.

The INEC official emphasized the commission’s commitment to transparency in carrying out its constitutional mandate. He highlighted the various measures implemented to ensure the integrity of the registration process, including the use of technology to facilitate online pre-registration and the deployment of personnel to support the exercise.

The CVR exercise is a critical component of Nigeria’s electoral process, aiming to update the voter register and ensure that all eligible citizens are registered to participate in future elections. The ongoing exercise has generated significant interest, with various stakeholders closely monitoring the process to ensure its credibility and integrity.

As the CVR exercise continues, INEC’s response to the ADC’s allegations serves as a reassurance of the commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The electoral body’s efforts to promote public awareness and engagement have contributed to the high registration turnout in Lagos State, and it remains to be seen how the exercise will unfold in other parts of the country.