INEC Extends Voter Registration by Two Weeks, Launches Self-Service Portal for First-Time Voters

By James Adamu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a two-week extension of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, pushing the deadline from July 10 to July 24, 2026.

The Commission also unveiled a new self-service online registration option for first-time voters, set to go live on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, through the dedicated portal cvr.inecnigeria.org.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday. According to Haruna, the extension followed a review of the ongoing exercise and feedback received from state offices, political parties, and civil society organisations.

“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 statement read.

The new self-service option marks a significant shift in the Commission’s approach to voter registration. For the first time, eligible first-time voters can initiate and complete the entire registration process—including biometric capture—using their personal devices, eliminating the need to physically visit an INEC office.

INEC assured that 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 urged all eligible Nigerians yet to register to take advantage of the extended window and explore the new technology option.

“We remain 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,” Haruna added.

The CVR exercise, which began on August 18, 2025, will now run until Friday, July 24, 2026. The self-service portal goes live on July 8, with a step-by-step guide already available on the CVR website.