TDThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks and announced the introduction of an online self-service registration platform for first-time voters.
This was contained in a press release issued on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
Haruna said the Commission approved the extension after reviewing the progress of the exercise and considering feedback from its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
The CVR exercise, which commenced on August 18, 2025, was originally scheduled to end on July 10, 2026.
However, INEC has now extended the registration period until Friday, July 24, 2026, to give more eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register.
According to the Commission, the extension reflects its commitment to ensuring that every eligible citizen has a fair and reasonable chance to be included in the National Register of Voters ahead of future elections.
INEC also announced that, beginning Wednesday, July 8, 2026, eligible first-time voters will be able to register through a new self-service online platform available on the Commission’s dedicated CVR portal.
The new registration option will allow eligible Nigerians to initiate and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without the need to visit an INEC office physically.
The Commission said the platform has been designed with identity verification, biometric validation and backend integrity checks to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters.
INEC urged all eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the extended registration period and the new technology-driven registration option.
The electoral body reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process ahead of the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, it also leveraged modern technology to improve citizens’ participation in Nigeria’s electoral system.
