The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks and introduced an online self-service registration platform for first-time voters as part of efforts to expand access to voter registration ahead of future elections.
The Commission announced that the registration exercise, which commenced on August 18, 2025, and was initially scheduled to end on July 10, 2026, will now conclude on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed a comprehensive review of the exercise and consultations with its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other key stakeholders, who called for additional time to enable more eligible Nigerians to register.
The Commission said the extension reflects its commitment to ensuring that every eligible citizen has a fair and reasonable opportunity to be captured in the National Register of Voters before upcoming electoral activities.
In a major technological innovation, INEC also announced the introduction of a self-service online voter registration platform for eligible first-time voters. The new service will become operational on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, through the Commission’s dedicated CVR portal.
The platform will allow eligible Nigerians to initiate and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, using personal devices without physically visiting an INEC office.
INEC explained that the system is equipped with robust identity verification mechanisms, biometric validation and backend integrity checks to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters while making the registration process more convenient and accessible.
The electoral body urged all eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the extended registration period and embrace the new technology-driven registration option.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process, stressing that the adoption of innovative digital solutions is aimed at improving citizens’ participation and confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
