The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has announced plans to begin a 50-day rotational Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across all wards in the state. The exercise is aimed at increasing voter participation and reducing voter apathy ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Ayobami Salami, made this known on Sunday while addressing political parties, civil society groups, security agencies, and other stakeholders at a meeting on the second phase of the CVR exercise.
According to Prof. Salami, the rotational registration exercise will commence on Monday, February 2, 2026, and run until April 10, 2026. He said the approach is designed to take voter registration closer to residents in different communities across the state.
He explained that Continuous Voter Registration is one of INEC’s key duties under the law and plays a major role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
“The Continuous Voter Registration exercise is one of INEC’s most critical statutory responsibilities,” Salami said. “It is the primary means by which eligible Nigerians can register to vote, transfer their registration, correct personal details, and replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs.”
Lagos State, Nigeria’s most populous state, has millions of eligible voters, many of whom are yet to register or update their details. INEC officials say improving access to voter registration is necessary to ensure that every eligible resident has the opportunity to take part in elections.
Prof. Salami said the second phase of the CVR exercise was planned after reviewing the successes and challenges of the first phase. He noted that lessons learnt have helped INEC design a more effective and inclusive process.
“The CVR exercise is designed to build on the successes and lessons learnt from the first phase,” he said. “It aims to expand access, improve efficiency, and ensure that no eligible voter in Lagos State is disenfranchised due to a lack of opportunity to register.”
He explained that the rotational system would involve moving registration teams from one Registration Area (RA) to another across all Local Government Areas in the state. This means residents will not need to travel long distances to register.
“Therefore, this phase will focus on devolution by rotating the voter registration exercise in Registration Areas in all the Local Government Areas across the state for 50 days,” Salami said.
INEC also announced that the final week of the exercise will be centralised at local government offices across Lagos State. According to the REC, this will run from April 11 to April 17, 2026.
“Further details will be made available through our official channels in due course,” he added. “However, the last week of this phase II of CVR will be at the Local Government Area offices.”
Continuous Voter Registration allows Nigerians who have just turned 18 to register for the first time. It also gives voters the chance to transfer their registration if they have moved, correct errors such as wrong names or dates of birth, and replace lost or damaged PVCs.
INEC has repeatedly said that voters must be properly registered to take part in elections, as PVCs remain the only valid means of accreditation on election day.
Prof. Salami assured stakeholders that INEC has made adequate preparations to ensure the exercise runs smoothly. He said logistics, staffing, and technology have been improved to reduce delays and build public trust.
“I wish to emphasize that the Commission has made adequate arrangements to ensure a smooth and transparent process,” he said. “Measures have been put in place to improve logistics, deploy well-trained personnel, and strengthen our technology to reduce delays and boost public confidence.”
He added that INEC remains committed to conducting a credible registration process and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
However, the REC stressed that the success of the exercise would depend largely on the cooperation of political parties and other stakeholders. He warned political actors against actions that could disrupt or discredit the process.
“Political parties are therefore enjoined to sensitise their members to strictly comply with the guidelines and refrain from actions that could undermine the credibility of the process,” Salami said.
He also called on civil society organisations, the media, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, and women’s organisations to support the exercise through public education and mobilisation.
“Voter registration is not merely a civic responsibility,” he said. “It is the foundation of democratic representation and accountable governance, with attendant shared benefits.”
Over the years, voter apathy has remained a major concern in Lagos and across Nigeria. Despite having a large number of registered voters, turnout during elections has often been low. Analysts say making voter registration easier and more accessible could help reverse this trend.
INEC has been under pressure to improve its processes following challenges recorded in previous elections, including logistical issues and delays. The commission says early preparation and stakeholder engagement are key to delivering better elections in 2027.
The Lagos CVR exercise is part of a nationwide effort by INEC to update the voters’ register ahead of the next general elections. Similar exercises are expected to take place in other states at different times.
Prof. Salami reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparency and service delivery, assuring Lagos residents that the commission will continue to improve its operations.
“INEC remains committed to credibility and transparency throughout this exercise,” he said. “We will continue to strengthen our service delivery and protect the integrity of the electoral process.”