By Israel Adebiyi 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a change in venue for the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration in Edo State following severe flooding at its State Headquarters in Benin City.

The flooding, caused by torrential rain on Friday damaged the building and its contents.

The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, revealed the State Headquarters will no longer serve as a registration centre, but the Ikpoba Okha LGA office located at 16 Customs Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City. 

Olumekun said the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, reported that both movable and immovable items, including parked vehicles, office furniture, and equipment, were submerged. 

Among the affected items were several voter enrollment machines configured for the CVR.

The Edo State governorship election will be held on September 21, 2024.

INEC had unveiled plans to commence the CVR from May 27 to June 5, 2024, ahead of the governorship poll.

Olumekun said the INEC would dispatch additional machines from neighbouring states.

“The Commission is delivering additional machines from the neighbouring states to make up for the shortfall.

“We are determined to ensure that the CVR in all the 192 Wards across Edo State will proceed on Monday, 27th May 2024, as scheduled,” he said.