The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the final phase of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will begin on May 11, 2026, as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The commission said the exercise, which is the third and last phase of the current registration cycle, will run for two months and end on July 10, 2026. This gives eligible Nigerians another opportunity to register and be able to vote in the next general elections.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Tuesday by the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna. According to him, the commission has completed all arrangements to ensure that the process runs smoothly across the country.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to inform the general public that the current nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise will resume for its third and final phase on Monday, 11th May 2026,” the statement said.
INEC explained that the second phase of the exercise was earlier suspended on April 17, 2026. The pause, the commission noted, was necessary to allow officials to clean up the voter register after it was displayed for public inspection.
“It may be recalled that the second phase of the exercise was suspended on 17th April 2026 to allow the Commission clean up the register after its publication for claims and objections by registrants,” Haruna stated.
The CVR exercise is an important part of Nigeria’s electoral process. It allows citizens who have reached the age of 18 to register as voters. It also gives those who missed previous registration opportunities another chance to be included in the voter database.
INEC has urged all eligible Nigerians, especially young people who recently turned 18, to take advantage of the new window. The commission stressed that participation in the registration process is key to strengthening democracy and ensuring that citizens can exercise their right to vote.
“During this period, eligible citizens who have attained the age of 18, as well as those who were unable to register during the earlier phases, should seize this opportunity to do so,” the statement added.
Apart from new registrations, the commission said the exercise will also cover other voter-related services. These include requests for transfer of voting location, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and correction of personal information such as names or dates of birth.
INEC advised citizens who need these services to either use its online portal or visit any of its designated offices nationwide. The use of technology, the commission noted, is meant to make the process easier and reduce crowding at registration centres.
As part of efforts to ensure transparency and accuracy, INEC also announced that the voter register will again be displayed for public scrutiny after the registration exercise. This will take place from July 23 to July 29, 2026.
During this period, Nigerians will be able to check their details and raise objections if they notice any errors or irregularities. The commission said this step is necessary to maintain a credible and reliable voter register.
“In continuation of the process, the Commission will display the Register of Voters for claims and objections from Thursday, 23rd July to Wednesday, 29th July 2026,” Haruna said.
INEC further reassured Nigerians that it is fully ready for the exercise and has put measures in place to ensure a smooth process across all states and local government areas.
“The Commission reassures Nigerians that all necessary arrangements have been concluded for the smooth conduct of the exercise,” the statement noted.
The upcoming phase follows the successful completion of the second phase of the CVR. During that period, INEC recorded a total of 3,748,704 completed registrations across the country. This figure includes both online pre-registrations and in-person enrolments at registration centres.
The commission said it has since shifted its attention to verifying the data collected. This includes checking for duplicate entries and ensuring that all registered voters meet the legal requirements. The display of the register for claims and objections is part of this verification process.
Nigeria operates a system of continuous voter registration to ensure that the voter register is regularly updated. This is different from a one-time registration system and allows more citizens to be included over time.
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, INEC’s efforts are focused on building a credible voter database that reflects the true number of eligible voters in the country. A clean and accurate voter register is widely seen as a key factor in conducting free and fair elections.
For many Nigerians, the new registration window represents another chance to take part in shaping the country’s leadership. As the countdown to the 2027 elections continues, attention is now on how many eligible citizens will turn out to register before the July deadline.