By The Independent National Electoral Commission has extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks, giving eligible Nigerians more time to register ahead of future elections.
The Commission announced in a statement on Friday that the exercise, which began on August 18, 2025, and was originally scheduled to end on July 10, 2026, will now continue until Sunday, July 26, 2026.
According to INEC, the decision followed a review of the nationwide registration exercise and consultations with its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.
The Commission said the extension is aimed at ensuring that more eligible Nigerians who have not yet registered have a fair opportunity to be included in the national register of voters ahead of future electoral activities.
Beyond the extension, INEC also announced the introduction of a self-service online voter registration platform for first-time voters. The new service is expected to go live on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, through the Commission’s dedicated CVR portal.
The Commission explained that the online option will allow eligible first-time voters to begin and complete their registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without the need to visit an INEC office physically.
It added that the system has been designed with identity verification, biometric validation, and other integrity measures to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the national register of voters.
“Following a review of the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and feedback received from its State Offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders, the Commission has approved a two-week extension of the exercise,” the statement read.
The Commission also urged Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the extended registration period and the newly introduced online registration option, stating that it remains committed to a credible and accessible voter registration 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,” the statement added.
