The Independent National Electoral Commission has registered 36,638 new voters in Gombe State during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration, with women outnumbering men for the first time in the state’s history.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Gombe, Dr. Saad Idris, disclosed this on Thursday at a stakeholders’ meeting on Phase II of the CVR. He said 35,451 registrations were recorded within the state, comprising 14,976 males (42 percent) and 20,475 females (58 percent). National INEC records showed a cumulative total of 36,638 new voters, including those who registered outside Gombe.
“I have been told that this is the first time in the history of Gombe State that female registration is surpassing male registration. We must commend our women,” Idris stated.
The exercise also recorded 7,613 voter transfers, 9,031 corrections or updates, and 1,383 Permanent Voter Card collections across the state’s local government areas.
Despite the progress, the REC expressed concern that Gombe’s registration figures remain low compared to other northern states like Kano, Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, and Yobe.
To address the gap, INEC has approved devolving voter registration to the 114 Registration Areas through a 50-day rotational deployment of INEC Voter Enrolment Devices, starting Monday, February 2, 2026.
“Registration during this phase is expected to be conducted strictly at the designated Registration Area centres. Deviations without authorisation will not be tolerated,” Idris warned.
He also cautioned against multiple registrations, describing the practice as illegal and counterproductive. “Aside from the fact that it is an offence, the act amounts to a waste of time for both multiple registrants and genuine registrants, who are often discouraged by long queues,” he said.
The REC urged stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, traditional leaders, and security agencies, to intensify mobilisation and support for the exercise, calling it “a shared concern and a shared responsibility.” He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to credible and inclusive elections, describing the CVR as “a cornerstone of democratic participation.”
