INEC extends nationwide voter registration
By Musa Luka Musa The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks, shifting the deadline from July 10 to July 24, 2026. The commission also announced the introduction of an online self-service voter registration platform for eligible first-time voters as part of efforts to […]
By Musa Luka Musa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks, shifting the deadline from July 10 to July 24, 2026.
The commission also announced the introduction of an online self-service voter registration platform for eligible first-time voters as part of efforts to improve access and deepen the use of technology in the electoral process.
INEC disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Friday.
According to the commission, the decision to extend the exercise followed a review of the ongoing registration and feedback received from its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
It recalled that the nationwide CVR exercise commenced on August 18, 2025, and was initially scheduled to end on July 10, 2026.
“The Commission has approved a two-week extension of the exercise. In order to provide additional opportunity for eligible citizens who are yet to register, the Commission has extended the exercise to Friday, 24th July, 2026,” the statement said.
INEC said the extension reflected its commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable opportunity to be captured in the national register of voters ahead of future elections.
The commission also announced that a self-service voter registration option would become operational from Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
It said the service would be available through its dedicated CVR portal, where eligible Nigerians would also find a step-by-step guide on the registration process.
According to INEC, the new platform will allow eligible first-time voters to initiate and complete their registration, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without the need to visit any INEC office physically.
The electoral body said 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.
It urged eligible Nigerians who are yet to register as voters to take advantage of the additional two-week window and the newly introduced online registration option.
“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,” the statement added.