2027 Elections: INEC to begin nationwide registration

DDM NEWS

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to commence a nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This move aims to enable eligible citizens to register or update their voter information, ensuring their participation in future elections.

The CVR exercise will cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The exercise is open to all eligible citizens who have attained the age of 18 or will do so before or during the 2027 general elections.

Citizens can register or update their voter information at designated registration centers.

The CVR exercise will enable more citizens to participate in the electoral process, ensuring their voices are heard.

The exercise will help INEC maintain an accurate and up-to-date voter register, reducing the risk of electoral malpractices.

A comprehensive and inclusive voter registration process is crucial for conducting credible and transparent elections.

INEC has begun preparatory activities for the CVR exercise, including training of staff and logistics arrangements.

The commission is expected to launch public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the CVR exercise and encourage participation.

A successful CVR exercise will enhance the credibility of the 2027 elections, both domestically and internationally.

The exercise is expected to increase voter turnout, particularly among young and first-time voters.

The CVR exercise will contribute to a more inclusive and transparent electoral process, which is essential for Nigeria’s democratic development.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Benue state, Prof. Sam Egwu, who made this known Monday in Makurdi, said the exercise would commence from August 18, 2025.

Prof. Egwu explained that the CVR exercise was in line with constitutional provision to accommodate those who had attained 18 years after the previous election, adding that it would take place in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that it would commence with the online pre-registration which would be done through the INEC website.

He stated that the online registration would be followed by the “in-person registration in all INEC Area Offices nationwide and other designated centres starting from August 25, 2025, between 9am and 3pm each day from Monday to Friday.”

The REC emphasised that the exercise would address issues regarding “inclusion of fresh persons who are not in the existing register as a result of turning 18 and above after the 2023 General Election and were not able to register before because they were not in the country, in prison or were not interested.”

He pointed out that the exercise would also address issues of those whose cards were damaged, lost, or those who needed “correction on the card or deliberate change or inclusion of any other parameters, or seeking intra and inter state transfer, or from one Ward to another or one Polling Unit to another.”

He cautioned that registrants must not pay money or give gratification to anyone to be registered advising that Nigerians “take advantage of the services early enough to avoid the last-minute rush for attention so as to avoid the usual pains and hardships associated with the exercise in the past.”

Prof. Egwu who also assured that measures were in place to adequately cater for the needs of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the state said the Commission would announce the closing date of this round of the exercise to allow for break and harvesting of data.