The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks.
According to the commission, the extension is intended to provide more time for eligible Nigerians who have not yet registered, particularly those who have recently turned 18, to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
INEC’s spokesperson, Zainab Aminu Abubakar, told the BBC that the voter registration exercise began in phases in August 2025.
She explained, that “Originally, the registration exercise was scheduled to end on July 10, 2026. However, following appeals from political parties, civil society organisations and members of the public requesting more time, the commission decided to extend the exercise.”
She added that the registration exercise will now end on July 26, 2026.
“We hope this extension will give everyone who has not yet registered the opportunity to do so.”
Abubakar warned that anyone who fails to register before the new deadline will have to wait until after the 2027 general elections before another registration exercise would be conducted.
“If someone allows this deadline to pass without registering, they will miss the opportunity and will have to wait until after the 2027 elections,” she said.
She also highlighted improvements introduced by INEC to simplify the registration process.
According to her, applicants previously had to visit an INEC office before they could begin registration.
Later, the commission introduced an online pre-registration system that allowed applicants to fill in their personal details using a mobile phone or computer before visiting an INEC office for biometric capture.
She said the process had now been further upgraded.
“You can now complete your registration using your phone or computer, including capturing your facial photograph, without necessarily visiting an INEC office.”
INEC usually opens voter registration ahead of every general election to enable eligible Nigerians to register.
The exercise is open to citizens who have reached the age of 18, those who were unable to register during previous exercises, and those whose voter registration details or cards were lost or damaged.
A Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is a key requirement in Nigeria’s democratic process, as it enables citizens to vote for their preferred candidates during elections.
The Nigerian Constitution guarantees every eligible citizen the right to vote, making voter registration an important civic responsibility and an opportunity for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.
Beyond elections, the PVC also serves as a valid means of identification in some institutions, including banks, where it can be used to verify personal information such as a person’s name and age.
