INEC Announces Extension of Voter Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a two-week extension of the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

The exercise, which was earlier scheduled to end on July 10, will now close on Friday, July 24, 2026.

The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this on Friday night in Abuja.

Haruna said the decision followed a review of the exercise and feedback received from INEC state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

According to him, the CVR, which began on August 18, 2025, was extended to give eligible Nigerians who had yet to register another opportunity to do so ahead of future electoral activities.

The commission said the extension reflected its commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian had a fair and reasonable chance to be captured in the Register of Voters.

INEC also announced the introduction of a self-service online registration option for eligible first-time voters.

The commission said the service would become available from Wednesday, July 8, 2026, through its dedicated CVR portal, where a step-by-step guide would be provided.

According to INEC, the self-service option will allow eligible citizens to initiate and complete their voter registration, including biometric capture, using personal devices without physically visiting an INEC office.

The commission said the system includes identity verification, biometric validation and backend integrity checks to preserve the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters.

INEC urged eligible Nigerians who had yet to register to take advantage of the extended window and explore the new registration technology.

It reaffirmed its commitment to a credible, inclusive, and accessible voter registration process, driven by technology, to improve citizens’ experience in the electoral process.