By Nkechi Eze
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Gombe State, Dr Saad Umar Idris, has announced a robust, community-focused strategy aimed at significantly increasing voter registration as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares to commence Phase II of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the state.
Dr Idris made this known on Thursday during a stakeholders’ engagement at the Gombe International Hotel, where he assessed the performance of Phase I of the CVR and presented operational plans for the forthcoming phase.
He disclosed that a total of 36,638 new voters were registered during Phase I of the exercise, describing the figure as a positive development but still below the level recorded by some other states in the northern region.
The REC also revealed a notable milestone, stating that women outnumbered men among new registrants for the first time in the state’s CVR history, a trend he attributed to increasing awareness and improved inclusion.
Notwithstanding the progress, Dr Idris cautioned that the numbers remain insufficient to guarantee widespread participation in future elections. He therefore appealed to political parties, civil society organisations, religious and traditional institutions, the media, and security agencies to scale up mobilisation and sensitisation efforts at the community level.
To enhance accessibility, the REC announced that INEC has approved the decentralisation of voter registration to Registration Areas (RAs), following repeated demands by stakeholders.
Under the new arrangement, Voter Enrolment Devices (IVEDs) will be deployed on a rotational basis to the state’s 114 Registration Areas for a period of 50 days, starting from 2 February 2026, to bring registration services closer to residents.
“This strategy is intended to eliminate distance constraints and ensure that more eligible citizens can conveniently register,” Dr Idris said, adding that the success of Phase II will depend largely on the collective commitment of all stakeholders.
He issued a strong warning against multiple registrations, stressing that it is a criminal offence capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process and attracting severe sanctions, including disqualification.
The REC further disclosed that preparatory activities are already in progress, noting that he held an internal meeting with staff of the Gombe State INEC office on Tuesday, 27 January, and followed up with a strategic session with Electoral Officers from the 11 Local Government Areas on Wednesday, 28 January, to finalise logistics and operational arrangements.
Dr Idris reaffirmed INEC’s resolve to conduct a credible, inclusive and transparent voter registration exercise, assuring stakeholders that adequate measures are being put in place to guarantee smooth implementation.
He called for sustained partnership with the Commission, emphasising that a comprehensive and credible voter register remains the bedrock of democratic governance and credible elections in Gombe State.
