The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has concluded its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as of Sunday, July 26, 2026. Registration centres across the country operated from 9am to 3pm, offering final in-person registration opportunities. The commission had previously announced the closure date via its official X account, urging eligible voters to act quickly. "Your future won't wait. Neither should you," INEC stated, emphasizing the deadline.
Prospective voters could register either online through the CVR portal or at designated INEC offices and centres. The closure follows demands from opposition parties and civil society organisations for an extension, citing fears that millions might be excluded from the 2027 general elections. INEC did not announce any extension, sticking to the timeline mandated by the Electoral Act.
Under the law, voter registration must stop 90 days before an election to allow time for data cleaning, printing of Permanent Voter Cards, and logistical preparations. The voters' register will be displayed for claims and objections within the stipulated period, enabling citizens to correct errors or challenge omissions. INEC has not indicated whether the current registration figures meet expectations or how many new voters were added during this cycle.
INEC closed registration on schedule despite public pressure to extend, leaving unresolved how many eligible voters missed the cutoff. The law mandates a 90-day closure before elections, but the commission offered no data on registration reach or accessibility challenges faced by applicants.
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