The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a two-week extension of the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, giving eligible Nigerians more time to register ahead of future elections.
According to the Commission, the decision followed a review of the exercise and feedback received from its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.
The CVR exercise, which commenced on 18 August 2025, was initially scheduled to end on 10 July 2026. However, INEC has now extended the registration period to Sunday, 26 July 2026, to provide additional opportunities for citizens who have not yet registered.
The Commission said the extension reflects its commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable chance to be included in the National Register of Voters before upcoming electoral activities.
In a major technological advancement, INEC also announced the introduction of a self-service online registration platform for eligible first-time voters. The new service will become operational on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, through the Commission’s dedicated CVR portal.
The online platform will allow first-time voters to begin and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without the need to physically visit an INEC office.
INEC explained that the system has been designed with robust identity verification, biometric validation, and backend integrity checks to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters.
The Commission encouraged all eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to make use of the extended registration period and embrace the new digital registration option.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a credible, inclusive, and accessible voter registration process while leveraging technology to enhance citizens’ participation and overall experience in Nigeria’s electoral process.
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