INEC Extends Continuous Voter Registration by Two Weeks, Introduces Online Self-Service Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a two-week extension of the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise following a review of the exercise and consultations with State Offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

The CVR, which commenced on 18 August 2025 and was initially scheduled to end on 10 July 2026, will now close on Sunday, 26 July 2026.

According to a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Haruna on 3 July 2026, the extension is aimed at giving more eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register and be included in the National Register of Voters ahead of future elections.

As part of efforts to improve accessibility and service delivery, INEC also announced the introduction of a self-service online voter registration platform for eligible first-time voters.The online registration portal will become operational on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, via cvr.inecnigeria.org, where users can access a step-by-step guide to complete the process.

The Commission said the new platform allows eligible citizens to initiate and complete their voter registration, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without visiting an INEC office.

The system incorporates identity verification, biometric validation and backend integrity checks to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters.

INEC urged all eligible Nigerians who have yet to register to take advantage of the extended registration period and the newly introduced online option.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process while leveraging technology to enhance citizens’ participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.