Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by an additional two weeks, giving eligible Nigerians until July 24, 2026, to register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gatekeepers News reports that the electoral commission said the decision followed a review of the exercise and consultations with its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, who called for more time to enable eligible citizens to complete the registration process. The exercise was initially scheduled to end on July 10.
INEC also announced the introduction of an online self-service registration platform for first-time voters. According to Mohammed Haruna, the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the new service will become operational on July 8 through the dedicated CVR portal, allowing eligible Nigerians to initiate and complete their voter registration, including biometric capture, without visiting an INEC office. The system includes identity verification, biometric validation and integrity checks to safeguard the credibility of the voters’ register.
The commission urged Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the extended deadline and the new technology-driven registration option, reaffirming its commitment to conducting a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process ahead of future elections.
