Abuja: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks and introduced a self-service online registration option for eligible Nigerians.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
Haruna said the decision followed a review of the ongoing exercise and feedback from state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
He recalled that the nationwide CVR exercise began on Aug. 18, 2025, and was initially scheduled to end on July 10, 2026.
“To provide additional opportunity for eligible citizens who are yet to register, the commission has extended the exercise to Sunday, July 26,” Haruna said.
He said the extension reflected INEC’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable opportunity to join the National Register of Voters.
Haruna also announced the introduction of a self-service online registration option for eligible first-time voters to improve accessibility and service delivery.
He said the new platform would become available from Wednesday, July 8, through INEC’s dedicated Continuous Voter Registration portal.
According to him, the portal provides a step-by-step guide to enable applicants to complete the registration process conveniently using personal digital devices.
“The self-service option will enable eligible citizens to initiate and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices,” he said.
Haruna explained that applicants would no longer need to visit INEC offices physically to complete the registration process under the new technology-driven system.
He said the platform features robust identity verification, biometric validation and backend integrity checks to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters.
The national commissioner urged all eligible Nigerians yet to register to take advantage of the extended period and the new digital registration option.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process through technology-driven innovations that enhance citizens’ participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
