The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks, giving eligible Nigerians until Friday, July 24, 2026, to register as voters.
The Commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Friday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to the statement, the decision followed a review of the exercise and feedback received from INEC’s state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
The nationwide CVR exercise commenced on August 18, 2025, and was initially scheduled to end on July 10, 2026.
INEC said the extension was aimed at providing additional opportunity for eligible Nigerians who are yet to register, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that every qualified citizen has a fair and reasonable chance to be included in the national Register of Voters ahead of future elections.
The Commission also announced the introduction of a self-service online voter registration platform for first-time voters, which will become operational on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
According to INEC, eligible first-time voters will be able to access the service through its dedicated CVR portal, where registration guidelines and a step-by-step guide are available.
The Commission said the new platform would allow eligible citizens to initiate and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without visiting an INEC office.
It explained that the system is equipped with robust identity verification, biometric validation and backend integrity checks to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters.
INEC urged all eligible Nigerians who have yet to register to take advantage of the extended registration period and the newly introduced technology-driven registration option.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to delivering a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process while leveraging technology to improve citizens’ participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
