The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks, giving eligible Nigerians more time to register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Channels Television, the voter registration exercise, which began on 18 August 2025 and was initially scheduled to end on 10 July 2026, will now close on 24 July 2026.
INEC announced the extension in a statement issued on Friday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna.
The commission said the decision followed feedback from its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, who called for additional time to enable more eligible Nigerians to register.
INEC said the extension reflects its commitment to ensuring that every eligible citizen has a fair opportunity to be included in the national voter register before future electoral activities.
The commission also announced the launch of a new self-service online voter registration platform for first-time voters. The service will go live on 8 July 2026 through INEC’s dedicated CVR portal.
According to the commission, the new system will allow eligible Nigerians to initiate and complete voter registration, including biometric capture, using personal devices without physically visiting INEC offices.
INEC said the online registration platform includes identity verification, biometric validation and backend integrity checks to maintain the credibility and accuracy of the voter register.
The electoral body urged eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the extended registration window and the new technology-driven registration option.
Channels Television reported that the move is part of INEC’s broader efforts to improve accessibility, inclusiveness and efficiency in Nigeria’s electoral process.
