August 25, (THEWILL) — Nigerians in their thousands are heeding the call by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register as voters in preparation for the 2027 general election.
The voter registration exercise which started on Monday, August 18, 2025 is meant for those who have attained 18 years and above who are not registered voters.
According to National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the Commission has devised two options that will proceed simultaneously throughout the duration of the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise. The options are the online pre-registration of voters and the in-person registration. While the online registration commenced on August 18, the in-person registration will start on August 25, 2025 at our 811 State and Local Government offices nationwide from 9.00am – 3.00pm during weekdays (Monday to Friday) only.
Olumekun said this will enable those who prefer the in-person option to register and for the online pre-registrants to complete their registration. From next week, the Commission will be giving weekly updates on the CVR, including detailed breakdown by State, gender, age, occupation and disability.
Celebrating Nigerians positive response to the matter, Five days after it was launched, the Commission announced that more than 500,000 Nigerians have completed their online pre-registration for the CVR. National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, confirmed this figure on Friday in Abuja during the flag-off of the Commission’s nationwide sensitisation campaign in Abuja with members of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, Friday in Abuja which mounted a road show that started from INEC Headquarters in Maitama and moving through Banex Plaza in Wuse to the busy Wuse Market. The message will soon go across the 36 states of the country in the Commission’s bid to boost public participation in the voter registration process.
Agbamuche-Mbu who represented the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said that, “as of midnight on Thursday, 22nd of August, 2025, over 505,906 citizens have pre-registered since the portal opened five days ago. For us, this is a testament that Nigerians believe in our democracy and the efforts of the commission to further strengthen the electoral process.”
She further stated that apart from being vital for successful participation in elections, voter registration was an essential component of citizenship, adding that date, both those who pre-registered online and new applicants can complete their registration at INEC Local Government and State Offices nationwide, where their biometrics will be captured.
Speaking further on behalf of INEC Chairman, Agbamuche. Mbu who called on all eligible Nigerians to take full advantage of the ongoing CVR exercise, said the only way to make their voices heard in a democracy is through the possession and use of their voters card.
“Your Permanent Voter Card is the key to making your voice heard,” she stated and appealed for maximum support from political parties, civil society groups, the media, and other stakeholders to support the commission in raising public awareness.” Other dignitaries present included National Commissioner Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, and senior officials from the Information, Gender and Inclusivity, and Voter Education departments.
Olumekun said that the registration portal which went live at 8.30am on August 18 registered 69,376 Nigerians by 3.30pm, just seven hours later. Of this figure, 33,803 (48.7 percent) are male while 35,573 (51.3 percent) are female. In terms of age, 48,033 (69.2 percent) are young persons aged 18-34.
The portal is available 24 hours everyday of the week at https://cvr.inecnigeria.org
Meanwhile, the Commission is set to commence the in-person registration option on Monday 25th August 2025 at our 811 State and Local Government offices nationwide from 9.00am – 3.00pm during weekdays (Monday to Friday) only. This will enable those who prefer the in-person option to register and for the online pre-registrants to complete their registration. From this week Monday, the Commission will be giving weekly updates on the CVR, including detailed breakdown by State, gender, age, occupation and disability.
“For emphasis, the public should note that voter registration is only open to Nigerian citizens who are at least 18 years old and who are not registered voters. Double or multiple registration is a violation of the law. However, inter-State/FCT and intra-State/FCT transfer of voters as well as the replacement of lost or damaged voters cards are allowed during the CVR,” Olumekun said.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Nuhu Bamalli, has commended the Commission for conducting the CVR exercise. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bamalli spoke on Thursday in Kaduna at stakeholders’ meeting and a VCR update organised by the commission.
The emir was represented by Malam Shiru Dikko, the District Head of Gabasawa and the Dangaladiman Zazzau. According to Bamalli, the exercise will enable the eligible citizens, especially the youth, to get registered hence be able to contribute to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
The emir said, “The exercise would enable the commission to perfect its voter registers and ensure that no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised.
“While applauding INEC, I am hoping that the citizens and all the critical stakeholders will render their maximum cooperation to ensure the success of the all-important exercise.
“The traditional leaders in Kaduna State will give their maximum support to the exercise and I am hereby giving my royal blessings and prayers to it.”
Also, speaking at the event, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof. Saidu Babura, said that the online pre-registration exercise had since begun on Monday.
He said:” This is to streamline the registration process through the authentic website provided by the commission. This portal will be available 24 hours every day of the week.”
Babura added that the in-person registration option would commence on Monday at the INEC State Office and all the 23 LGA offices from 9am to 3pm during weekdays; Monday to Friday only. He added that this was to enable the prefer the in-person registration option to register.
Babura said,” This is also to allow the online pre-registrants to complete their registration as ache by the commission. Weekly updates on the CVR exercise will be provided by the commission.”
The don solicited support of all the stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise, maintaining that INEC was fully committed to ensuring its smooth and transparent conduct.
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