The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will end today, despite growing calls from opposition parties and civil society groups for an extension to allow more eligible Nigerians to register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has maintained that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise will officially close today, July 26, as scheduled.
The commission said eligible Nigerians who have not yet registered should take advantage of the remaining hours before the exercise ends, stressing that registration centres nationwide will operate within the approved hours.
Opposition Demands More Time
Opposition political parties and several civil society organisations have urged INEC to extend the registration period, arguing that millions of eligible Nigerians risk being disenfranchised if the exercise ends as planned.
They cited large crowds at registration centres, technical challenges and the need to give first-time voters, particularly young Nigerians, adequate opportunity to register before the 2027 elections. Peter Obi is among those who have publicly called for an extension.
INEC Rules Out Extension
Despite the appeals, INEC says there will be no extension.
According to the commission, the voter registration exercise must close to allow officials to clean and verify the data collected, eliminate duplicate registrations and prepare the updated national voter register ahead of the next phase of the electoral process.
INEC also noted that the Electoral Act requires sufficient time for data processing, production of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and other logistical preparations before the 2027 general elections.
Final Hours for Registration
The electoral body has encouraged prospective voters to complete their registration before the deadline, either through the online portal where applicable or by visiting designated registration centres for physical capture.