Breaking: INEC gives Nigerians two more weeks for voter registration, introduces self-service online platform

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks to Friday, July 24, 2026, in a move aimed at giving more eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register ahead of future elections.

The voter registration exercise, which began on August 18, 2025, was initially scheduled to end on July 10, 2026.

Announcing the extension in a statement issued on Friday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the decision followed a comprehensive review of the exercise and consultations with state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

According to him, the extension is intended to accommodate eligible citizens who are yet to register and reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring broad participation in the electoral process.

“In order to provide additional opportunity for eligible citizens who are yet to register, the Commission has extended the exercise to Friday, 24th July 2026,” the statement read.

INEC also announced the introduction of a self-service online voter registration option for first-time registrants(first time voters) as part of efforts to deepen the use of technology and improve access to voter registration services, they are to complete the registration process remotely using their personal devices.

The new digital platform will become operational on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, through the Commission’s dedicated CVR portal, where users can access step-by-step guidance on completing the registration process.

Haruna explained that the self-service option enables eligible Nigerians to initiate and complete their voter registration, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without the need to visit an INEC office physically.

He noted that the platform is equipped with robust identity verification mechanisms, biometric validation and backend integrity checks to safeguard 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 the extended registration period and the newly introduced online registration facility.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process while leveraging technology to enhance the experience of citizens participating in Nigeria’s democratic process.