By Admin
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by an additional two weeks, shifting the deadline from July 10 to July 24, 2026.
The announcement was made on Friday in Abuja by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who said the decision followed a review of the exercise and consultations with the commission's state offices, political parties, civil society groups and other stakeholders.
According to him, the extension is intended to provide more time for eligible Nigerians who are yet to register ahead of future electoral activities.
The CVR exercise, which commenced on August 18, 2025, was originally scheduled to conclude on July 10 this year. However, INEC said the additional two weeks would ensure that more citizens have the opportunity to be included in the national voters register.
The commission noted that the decision reflects its commitment to inclusiveness and equal access to voter registration for all eligible Nigerians.
In a major technological upgrade, INEC also announced the introduction of a full self-service voter registration option for first-time registrants.
The new system will become operational on July 8, 2026, allowing eligible Nigerians to begin and complete their voter registration process online through the commission's dedicated portal.
According to the commission, the platform will enable users to complete the registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without the need to physically visit an INEC registration centre.
INEC explained that the system has built-in identity verification measures, biometric validation and other integrity checks designed to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the national register of voters.
The electoral body urged citizens who have not yet registered to take advantage of both the extended registration period and the new digital platform, describing the initiative as part of broader efforts to make voter registration more accessible, efficient and technology-driven.