The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks, giving eligible Nigerians additional time to register ahead of future elections.
It also announced the introduction of a new online self-service voter registration platform that will allow eligible first-time voters to complete their registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without visiting any INEC office.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, announced on Friday, in a press statement.
According to the statement, the decision followed a review of the ongoing nationwide registration exercise as well as feedback received from its state offices, political parties, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
The statement read;
“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 organizations, and other stakeholders, the Commission has approved a two-week extension of the exercise.”
INEC recalled that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise commenced on August 18, 2025, and was initially scheduled to end on July 10, 2026.
However, the commission said it had decided to extend the exercise until Friday, 24 July 2026, to ensure that more eligible Nigerians who are yet to register have the opportunity to do so.
“As Nigerians are aware, the nationwide CVR exercise commenced on 18th August, 2025 and was originally scheduled to conclude on 10th July 2026.
“To provide an additional opportunity for eligible citizens who are yet to register, the Commission has extended the exercise to Friday.”
INEC said the extension reflects its determination to ensure that every eligible Nigerian has a fair opportunity to be 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,” the commission stated.
Meanwhile, as part of its commitment to innovation, accessibility, and improved service delivery, INEC also unveiled a self-service registration option for eligible first-time voters.
According to the commission, the online registration platform will become operational on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, through its dedicated Continuous Voter Registration portal at cvr.inecnigeria.org, where users can also access a step-by-step registration guide.
“The new service will become available from Wednesday, 8th July, 2026 through the Commission’s dedicated CVR portal – cvr.inecnigeria.org where the step-by-step guide is also provided.”
The commission explained that the self-service option would allow eligible Nigerians to begin and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, directly from their personal devices without physically visiting any INEC office.
INEC further assured Nigerians that the platform has been designed with multiple security features to safeguard the integrity of the voter register.
“The self-service option will enable eligible citizens to initiate and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without having to physically visit an INEC office.
“The system incorporates robust identity verification, biometric validation, and backend integrity checks designed to preserve the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters,” the commission stated.
The electoral body urged all eligible Nigerians who have yet to register as voters to take advantage of both the two-week extension and the newly introduced online registration technology.
It reiterated its commitment to conducting a credible, inclusive, and accessible voter registration exercise while leveraging technology to improve citizens’ experience in the electoral process.
“The Commission urges all eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of this extended window and explore the new voter registration technology option.
“The Commission remains committed to a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process, and to advancing the use of technology to improve citizens’ experience in the electoral process,” INEC added.
