INEC extends continuous voter registration deadline, launches online self-registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing continuous registration of voters across the country to another two weeks to allow eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register before future elections.

The electoral body has also rolled out a new online voter registration system that will enable new voters to conduct the entire process of registration, including taking their biometrics, right from the comfort of their gadgets.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Friday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

The INEC explained in the statement that the decision followed an assessment of the ongoing voter registration process and feedback received from INEC’s various states offices and stakeholders such as political parties and civil society groups.

The commission stated that the CVR exercise, which commenced on August 18, 2025, was supposed to end on July 10, 2026, but had now been extended until Friday, July 24, 2026.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform Nigerians that, 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.

INEC said the extension is intended to ensure that more eligible Nigerians are captured in the National Register of Voters before future electoral activities.

“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 ahead of future electoral activities,” it added. 

As part of efforts to modernise the registration process, the commission also announced the introduction of an online self-service registration platform.

According to INEC, the platform will become operational on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, through its dedicated CVR portal, cvr.inecnigeria.org, where users can also access a step-by-step registration guide.

The commission explained that the new system will allow eligible first-time voters to begin and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, from their personal devices without physically visiting any INEC office.

INEC said the platform has been equipped with multiple security measures, including identity verification, biometric validation and backend integrity checks, to protect the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters.

The commission urged all eligible Nigerians who have yet to register to take advantage of both the extension of the CVR exercise and the new online registration option.

It reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a credible, inclusive and technology-driven voter registration process aimed at improving citizens’ participation in Nigeria’s electoral system.