Some 663,748 registered voters are expected to take part in the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

This indication was given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the publication and presentation of an updated voter register in the state to political parties in Yenagoa.

According to the figures reeled out by the ICT and Voter Registry Departments of INEC, a total of 663,639 voters are eligible to vote in 1,939 voting points after the continuous voter registration exercise held in the state from October 2 to 9 this year.

This is an increase of over 53,000 registered voters in 1804 polling units from the register used during the2015 general election.

The breakdown of the eight local government areas are given as follows: Brass 56,634, Ekeremor 83,774, Kolokum/Opokuma 39,748, Nembe 66,384, Ogbia 69,253, Sagbama 87,242, Southern Ijaw 120,827 and Yenagoa 139,777.

Based on gender distribution, men constitute 54% while women are 46% of the voting population.

250, thousand students were registered while Businessmen were 120,000, fishermen and farmers 80,000, civil servants 70,000 and housewives 10,000.

For the age bracket, those from 31-50 years are the highest with 46%, 18-30 years 41%, 51-70 years 11% and above 70 years 2%.

Addressing representatives of political parties, security agencies and civil society groups who witnessed the presentation, the INEC National Commissioner, Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku, said the publication of the voter register was in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended which says the voter register must be published at least one month to the election.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Bayelsa State, Mr. Baritor Kpagih, said following the presentation of the voter register, the Commission would now intensify preparations for the December 5 governorship polls.

He urged political parties and candidates to sensitise their supporters on the need for peaceful electioneering process.

•Photo shows Ambassador Nwuruku.

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