The Independent National Electoral Commission is set to consider extending the Continuous Voter Registration process to enable Nigerians to acquire their Permanent Voters’ Cards ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Punch Metro reports that the ongoing CVR exercise is expected to end by 30th June 2022 while the online registration closed on 30th May 2022.

INEC had informed Nigerians that they “must complete your application and schedule your appointment for biometric capture before then.”

As such those who missed the May 30 online registration deadline would not be eligible to capture their biometric, a prerequisite for the issuance of the PVC.

Following the just concluded primary elections across the nation’s political parties that saw the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubum Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as the candidates for the ruling All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, respectively, amongst others, many Nigerians have been clamouring for an extension of the exercise to enable them to participate in next year’s election.

Reacting to the calls on Saturday, INEC released a statement acknowledging the calls for the extension and added that it will give a response soon.

The electoral body’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, urged Nigerians to give assurance that they will register, pick up their PVCs and vote in the next election.

“We have heard your requests loud & clear. You will soon hear from us on the extension of CVR registration. Please assure me that you will register, pick your PVCs and Vote. I also assure you that your vote will count,” Yakubu was quoted as saying on the commission’s verified Twitter handle.