Voter registration: INEC extends deadline to July 24 and introduced a self-service option for first-time voters.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the nationwide continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks, moving the deadline from July 10 to July 24, 2026.
INEC resumed the nationwide CVR exercise in January 2026, marking the start of the second phase of the process, after the first phase closed on December 10, 2025. The commission had earlier launched online pre-registration for the exercise on August 18, 2025, before opening in-person registration at designated centres nationwide on August 25, 2025.
In a statement issued on Friday, Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s chairman of the information and voter education committee, said the extension followed a review of the ongoing exercise and feedback from the commission’s state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
“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,” Haruna said.
New Self-Service Voter Registration Option Launches July 8
Haruna also announced that INEC would introduce a self-service registration option for eligible first-time voters as part of efforts to improve accessibility and service delivery.
“In furtherance of its commitment to innovation, accessibility, and improved service delivery, the commission is pleased to announce the introduction of a self-service registration option (online) for eligible first-time voters,” he said.
“The new service will become available from Wednesday, 8th July, 2026 through the commission’s dedicated CVR portal, cvr.inecnigeria.org, where the step-by-step guide is also provided,” he noted.
According to Haruna, the self-service option will allow eligible citizens to initiate and complete their voter registration without visiting an INEC office. He said 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 urges all eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of this extended window and explore the new voter registration technology option,” Haruna said.
He added that the commission “remains 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.”
What This Means
The two-week extension gives unregistered Nigerians additional time to get onto the voters’ register ahead of future elections, while the new online self-service option for first-time voters could ease pressure on physical registration centres and cut wait times, provided the identity verification systems hold up to demand once the portal opens on July 8.
