Daniel Otera/Olusegun Adeyemo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched the physical phase of its 2025 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across Nigeria, a key step in preparing for the 2027 general elections and the Anambra governorship poll in November 2025.
Launched on Monday, August 25, 2025, eligible Nigerians can visit designated centres to register, update their details, or collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). This follows the online pre-registration that opened on August 18, which drew strong early interest, with 69,376 Nigerians signing up within the first seven hours.
The CVR will run until August 30, 2026, making it a year-long drive to update and expand Nigeria’s voter register.
“This is your chance to shape the future of our country,” INEC stated on its X handle. “Register now and ensure your voice counts in the elections.”
Registration Centres and Eligibility
The commission has set up 811 registration centres across all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They will operate from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
Those eligible include:
Nigerians aged 18 and above who have never registered.
Holders of lost or damaged PVCs who need replacements.
Voters relocating and wishing to transfer their registration to a new polling unit.
Individuals correcting personal details such as names or addresses.
INEC has warned against multiple registrations, stressing that violators risk fines of up to ₦100,000 or one year in prison.
The CVR combines online and in-person processes. Nigerians can begin at cvr.inecnigeria.org by submitting details such as names, dates of birth, addresses, and polling unit preferences, and then book an appointment for biometric capture at an INEC centre. Those who prefer can register directly at any of the 811 centres nationwide, including the 37 state offices and 774 LGA offices.
To help citizens locate centres, INEC launched a CVR Live Locator on August 17. A 38-page list of addresses is also available on its website.
With an estimated population of 228 million, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation. Nearly half are under 15, and about a third fall within the working-age bracket. Yet voter participation has lagged behind this demographic strength.
In the 2023 presidential election, only 26.7 percent of the 93.5 million registered voters cast ballots, roughly 24.9 million people, the lowest turnout since the return to democracy in 1999.
To rebuild trust, INEC has introduced tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. Civic groups like Yiaga Africa, however, argue that technology must be paired with stronger mobilisation of young Nigerians, who make up more than 60 percent of the population.
In Anambra, where registration began earlier for the November election, residents reported long queues and too few machines. Civic advocate Chidi Odinkalu noted on X that “the commission must do better and extend the process where needed.”
INEC has promised to review the exercise and may add centres depending on turnout and security. It has also called on security agencies to safeguard staff and materials. Citizens are reminded that registration is free and that offering bribes to officials is prohibited.
The CVR is crucial for updating Nigeria’s voter register before the 2027 general elections and other polls, including the bye-elections scheduled for August 16, 2025, across 12 states. INEC will pause the registration in December 2025 to harvest data before resuming in early 2026. A preliminary voter register will be published for public scrutiny ahead of the final list.
For assistance, INEC has provided helplines (09050858629, 09050858675, 09050858649) and an email (iccc@inec.gov.ng). It also plans to release video guides to simplify the process.
“Your PVC is your power,” INEC emphasised. “Don’t sit back, register, engage, and vote.”
With registration now in full swing, the responsibility lies with Nigerians to take part and secure their place in shaping the country’s democratic future.
Osun, Oyo Residents Urged to Register as INEC Activates Voter Registration Centres
Meanwhile, residents across Osun State on Monday thronged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices to register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise commenced.
The turnout followed the activation of all registration centres across the 30 local government areas and at the INEC state headquarters in Osogbo.
The Journal Nigeria correspondent observed large crowds at several centres as citizens took advantage of the registration ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, confirmed the activation of centres, explaining that the initiative was designed to ensure no eligible voter is left out of the process.
During a monitoring exercise, Agboke said the visits aimed at checking smooth operations, enforcing compliance with guidelines, and providing support where needed.
“The monitoring also allowed interaction with officials and registrants to guarantee a transparent, orderly, and efficient process,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has urged residents to participate actively in the exercise.
In a statement, the Director-General of the Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED), Dr. Morohunkola Thomas, explained that INEC would only attend to fresh registrants at its local government offices to ease the process.
He added that individuals with lost, defaced, or transferred PVCs should make use of the online portal at https://www.cvr.inecnigeria.org
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Thomas urged citizens to take full advantage of the exercise, stressing that participation is crucial in electing leaders of their choice as elections draw near.