The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conclude the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise today, maintaining that there will be no further extension despite appeals from opposition political parties and civil society organisations.
The commission urged eligible Nigerians who have not completed their registration to use the remaining hours before the exercise closes. Registration centres across the country are scheduled to operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
INEC said ending the exercise is necessary to begin processing and verifying registration data ahead of the 2027 general elections. The commission explained that it must clean the voter database, remove duplicate registrations using its Automated Biometric Identification System, and prepare the provisional register for public scrutiny before producing the final voters’ register.
National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna said the commission had to adhere to its timetable, stressing that extending the exercise would delay critical post-registration activities, including claims and objections, biometric verification and the printing of Permanent Voter Cards.
Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Dayo Oketola, said the decision complies with constitutional and legal provisions. He noted that the commission had already expanded registration opportunities and carried out nationwide voter education campaigns to encourage participation.
According to INEC, nearly 3 million Nigerians had completed registration by July 17, although the figure remains provisional pending data verification. The commission reported that physical registrations accounted for the majority of new entries, while online registrations also recorded significant participation.
Young people between the ages of 18 and 34 made up the largest share of new registrants, with women slightly outnumbering men. Students represented the highest occupational group among registrants, while Kano recorded the highest number of registrations, followed by Lagos and Edo states.
However, several opposition parties argued that ending the exercise at this stage could prevent many eligible Nigerians from participating in the 2027 elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said voter registration should remain accessible for citizens who decide to participate in the electoral process at any time. The Labour Party also criticised the closure, arguing that a programme described as “continuous” should remain open, especially for Nigerians who will attain voting age before the elections.
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also called for an extension, claiming that public confidence in the electoral process has weakened and discouraged voter participation.
Civil society organisations echoed similar concerns. Women Arise for Change Initiative, BallotEyes Working Group and the Socio-Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy urged INEC to reconsider the deadline, arguing that additional weeks would allow more eligible citizens to register without affecting the election timetable.
Some groups also questioned why the exercise was ending about six months before the elections when the Electoral Act requires voter registration to stop no later than 90 days before polling.
On the other hand, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and election observer group Yiaga Africa supported INEC’s decision. They maintained that the commission requires adequate time to clean the voter register, resolve claims and objections, and complete other preparations necessary for credible elections.
Yiaga Africa added that while more opportunities for voter registration should be provided in the future, adherence to the electoral timetable remains essential for effective election planning.
