The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by an additional two weeks and announced the introduction of a new online self-service registration platform for first-time voters.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, explaining that the extension followed a comprehensive review of the exercise and consultations with its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other key stakeholders.
The CVR exercise, which commenced on 18 August 2025 and was initially scheduled to conclude on Friday, 10 July 2026, will now end on Friday, 24 July 2026.
According to INEC, the extension is intended to provide more eligible Nigerians who have yet to register with an opportunity to be included in the National Register of Voters ahead of future elections.
In a significant technological advancement, the Commission also announced that, with effect from Wednesday, 8 July 2026, eligible first-time voters will be able to register online through a newly introduced self-service platform.
The digital service will be available via INEC’s dedicated portal, cvr.inecnigeria.org, and is designed to enable prospective voters to complete their registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices from any location, eliminating the need to visit an INEC office.
INEC stated that the platform has been developed with comprehensive identity verification mechanisms, biometric validation, and backend security checks to safeguard the integrity of the National Register of Voters.
The Commission described the extension of the registration exercise as part of its commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
“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,” the statement read.
INEC further urged all eligible citizens who have yet to register to take advantage of both the extended registration period and the newly introduced digital registration option.
Reaffirming its commitment to electoral reforms and innovation, the Commission said it would continue to leverage technology to improve voter registration and enhance citizens’ participation in the democratic process.
“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,” it added.
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