INEC Resumes Final Continuous Voter Registration Phase as 2027 Elections Approach
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened the third and final phase of its nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, giving millions of eligible Nigerians one last opportunity to join the voter roll or update their information before the 2027 general elections.
According to a statement issued by the commission on Tuesday, the exercise will run from Monday, May 11, to Friday, July 10, 2026. This phase follows the completion of data cleanup after the second phase ended on April 17. INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee Chairman, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, explained that the final window targets both new registrants and existing voters who need to make changes.
New registrants include citizens who have reached 18 years of age or will do so by the time of the election. Updates cover transfers to new locations, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and corrections to personal details. The commission is encouraging citizens to begin the process through its dedicated online portal at cvr.inecnigeria.org.
Successful online pre-registration generates a confirmation slip, after which applicants must visit an INEC office for biometric capture – including photographs and fingerprints – to complete their registration. Physical registration at designated centres across the country remains available for those who prefer it.
Once this phase closes, INEC will publish the updated Register of Voters for public scrutiny from Thursday, July 23, to Wednesday, July 29, 2026. During this period, citizens can verify their entries, report errors or raise objections against ineligible registrations such as duplicates, deceased persons or non-citizens.
This step is designed to strengthen the integrity of the voter database ahead of the polls. As of the latest figures, Nigeria has approximately 93.47 million registered voters distributed across more than 176,000 polling units. The ongoing CVR cycle, which began in August 2025, recorded around 3.75 million completed registrations in the second phase alone, though these numbers are still being verified.
The exercise is particularly important for young Nigerians, who make up a large portion of the population but have historically shown lower registration and turnout rates. With off-cycle governorship elections scheduled in Ekiti State on June 20 and Osun State on August 15, followed by the full 2027 general elections, INEC is urging eligible citizens not to miss this final window.
Officials acknowledge that previous phases faced challenges, including technical glitches on the online portal, difficulties booking appointments and occasional overcrowding at physical centres. Civil society groups have called for improved system reliability and greater transparency to build public confidence in the process.
The commission has appealed to citizens, especially first-time voters and those who have relocated, to take advantage of the final phase.
The CVR is conducted under the Electoral Act to keep the voter register current outside of election-specific periods. A credible, accurate register is widely seen as the foundation for free, fair and transparent elections.
Successful completion of this final phase could significantly improve voter inclusion and strengthen trust in the electoral process. INEC has assured the public that arrangements are in place for a smoother exercise this time, with enhanced technical support and wider awareness campaigns.
Citizens are advised to visit the official INEC website or contact the commission’s Citizen Contact Centre at 0700-CALL-INEC (0700-2255-4632) for guidance. As the country prepares for the 2027 elections, this final registration opportunity represents a key step toward broader democratic participation.
