Opposition, CSOs Seek More Time, But INEC Says CVR Ends Today
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will officially end today, Sunday, July 26, despite growing calls from opposition political parties and civil society organisations for an extension.
The groups had urged the electoral commission to extend the registration period, arguing that millions of eligible Nigerians risk being left out of the 2027 general elections if the exercise ends as scheduled. However, INEC maintained that the deadline remains unchanged and encouraged eligible citizens who are yet to register to do so before the close of the exercise.
In a notice shared on its official X account on Saturday, the commission announced that all designated registration centres would operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. today.
INEC also reminded prospective voters that they could complete the online pre-registration process through its CVR portal or visit designated registration centres and INEC offices nationwide for physical registration.
National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna reiterated that there would be no extension beyond today’s deadline, explaining that the commission must begin processing and cleaning the voter data collected.
According to him, INEC’s Information Technology team and the Voter Registration Department will immediately commence data verification using the Automated Biometric Identification System to detect and eliminate multiple registrations. He added that after the biometric verification, the provisional voters’ register would be displayed for claims and objections, allowing Nigerians to report omissions, inaccuracies, or ineligible entries before the final register is produced.
Haruna noted that the exact number of newly registered voters would only be determined after the verification and public review processes are completed.
Responding to concerns that many eligible Nigerians could be excluded from voting in the 2027 elections, the commissioner said INEC could only register those who presented themselves during the registration period, adding that the exercise was conducted through the online portal, registration centres, and INEC offices across all 774 local government areas.
