Nigeria's INEC extends voter registration to July 24, launches online portal

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks, pushing the deadline to July 24. This decision aims to provide more eligible Nigerians with a fair opportunity to register ahead of future elections, particularly the 2027 general elections.

The extension follows a review of the exercise and feedback from various stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organizations. The CVR exercise, which began on August 18, 2025, was initially set to conclude on July 10, 2026. The additional time is expected to be the final major registration period before the 2027 polls.

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The extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable opportunity to be included in the Register of Voters.

In a significant technological advancement, INEC also unveiled an online self-service portal. This new platform allows eligible first-time voters to initiate and complete their registration process remotely, including biometric data capture, using their personal devices. The commission assured that the system incorporates robust identity verification and backend checks to maintain the credibility of the National Register of Voters.

INEC emphasized its commitment to a credible, inclusive, and accessible registration process. The introduction of the online portal signifies the commission's dedication to leveraging technology to enhance the citizen experience in electoral participation. Eligible Nigerians who have not yet registered are urged to utilize the extended period and the new online option.

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The Commission remains committed to a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process, and to advancing the use of technology to improve citizens’ experience in the electoral process.