The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced it will commence a nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on August 18, 2025, as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

 

 

 

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu, disclosed this in Makurdi. He explained that the CVR exercise aligns with constitutional provisions and is aimed at including Nigerians who have reached the voting age of 18 since the last general election in 2023.

 

 

 

 

The registration process will kick off with an online pre-registration phase via the INEC website, followed by physical (in-person) registration beginning August 25, 2025. This second phase will be held across INEC Area Offices and other designated centres in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

 

 

 

Prof. Egwu said the CVR would accommodate first-time voters and individuals who were previously unable to register due to being out of the country, incarcerated, or otherwise uninterested. The process also covers those needing replacements for lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), changes or corrections of personal details, and transfers of registration within or across states, wards, or polling units.

 

 

 

 

He cautioned against paying money or offering any form of gratification to be registered, urging Nigerians to take advantage of the early days of the exercise to avoid the last-minute rush.

 

 

 

The REC also noted that provisions were being made to ensure that internally displaced persons (IDPs) are not left out of the process. He said the commission would announce the closing date for the CVR at a later time, to allow for proper data harvesting and processing.