INEC begins online voter pre-registration ahead of 2027 elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched the online pre-registration of voters.

This marks the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, and posted on the commission’s official X handle, INEC urged eligible Nigerians to begin their registration through the portal www.cvr.inecnigeria.org.

“As Nigerians are aware, the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) commenced today, Monday 18th August 2025, with the online pre-registration of voters,” the statement said.

“The registration portal went live at 8.30am, but by 3.30pm, just seven hours later, as many as 69,376 Nigerians pre-registered online.

“Of this figure, 33,803 (48.7%) are male while 35,573 (51.3%) are female. In terms of age, 48,033 (69.2%) are young persons aged 18–34,” it added.

The pre-registration process allows prospective voters to schedule an appointment to complete the exercise in person.

INEC explained that both in-person registration and online pre-registration will run concurrently throughout the CVR period, in line with the timetable earlier released.

“From next week, the Commission will be giving weekly updates on the CVR, including detailed breakdown by State, gender, age, occupation and disability,” the commission stated.

INEC also reminded Nigerians that voter registration is only open to citizens aged 18 and above who have not previously registered.

“Double or multiple registration is a violation of the law.

“However, inter-State/FCT and intra-State/FCT transfer of voters as well as the replacement of lost or damaged voters’ cards are allowed during the CVR,” it warned.