By Ismaeel Aleem
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 1,379,342 Nigerians completed online pre-registration for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise within just one week, between 18 and 24 August 2025.
The milestone coincides with the official commencement of in-person registration today, 25 August, across INEC’s 811 state and local government offices nationwide.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the breakdown of online registrants shows a near gender balance: 661,846 males (47.96%) and 717,856 females (52.04%).
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Young people aged 18 to 34 form the largest group, accounting for 860,286 (62.37%), while students represent 374,534 (27.15%) of the total. Persons with disabilities make up 27,089 (1.96%) of those registered.
INEC noted that detailed figures, disaggregated by state, gender, age, occupation, and disability status, are available on its website and official platforms.
The physical registration phase, which opened today, caters both to new applicants who prefer face-to-face registration and to those who pre-registered online but must now complete the process in person.
The Commission stressed that the CVR is strictly for Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above who are not already registered voters.
INEC warned against double or multiple registrations, which remain illegal. However, voter transfers within and across states, including the FCT, as well as replacements of lost or damaged voter cards, are permitted during the exercise.
The CVR will run for a full year, ending on 30 August 2026.
INEC urged eligible citizens to take advantage of the extended window and avoid the last-minute rush that has traditionally overwhelmed registration centres and prompted calls for deadline extensions.
To foster transparency and sustain public confidence, INEC has committed to publishing weekly progress updates.
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As Nigeria looks ahead to forthcoming elections, the Commission’s dual-track system of online pre-registration and physical enrolment highlights its determination to expand access, strengthen participation, and uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
