INEC will begin nationwide voter registration on August 18 ahead of the 2027 elections.
The process includes online pre-enrolment and physical capture at designated centers across Nigeria.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will start across Nigeria on August 18, 2025, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to INEC, the registration will begin with online pre-enrolment, after which applicants will visit designated centres in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for physical biometric capture.
The update was shared by Prof. Sam Egwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State, during a press briefing in Makurdi on Monday.
Registration process to run in two phases
Prof. Egwu explained that the voter registration will be done in two stages:
- Phase One: Online registration starts on August 18, 2025, via INEC’s official website.
- Phase Two: Physical registration begins on August 25, 2025, at INEC offices and designated centres nationwide.
Physical registration will be available from Mondays to Fridays, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Who can register?
INEC stated that the CVR is open to Nigerians who:
- Have turned 18 years old since the last election in 2023
- Missed the previous registration due to travel, imprisonment, or other reasons
- Need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Permanent Voter Card (PVC)
- Want to correct errors in personal information or change their voting location
“This exercise is to make sure every eligible Nigerian has a chance to vote,” said Prof. Egwu.
Registration is free INEC cautions against bribery
INEC reminded the public that registration is completely free and warned against giving or accepting bribes during the process.
“No one should pay any money to get registered. Anyone caught collecting bribes will be dealt with according to the law,” Prof. Egwu added.
The commission also mentioned that it is working closely with security agencies and civil society organizations to ensure the process is fair and free of fraud.
Avoid last-minute rush, INEC advises
INEC urged eligible Nigerians to register early to avoid the long queues and delays that occurred in previous registration exercises. Many people were unable to register in the past due to overcrowding and technical challenges.
Special measures for internally displaced persons (IDPs)
INEC confirmed that special provisions will be made for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), especially in areas like Benue State. The details of this arrangement will be shared by local INEC offices and humanitarian partners.
Closing date to be announced later
While registration kicks off on August 18, the commission said it will announce the end date later. Adequate time will be needed to verify and process all registration data ahead of the 2027 elections.
