INEC Announces August 18 Start Date for Nationwide Voter Registration Ahead of 2027 Elections

By Favorite Grace On Jul 15, 2025

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will commence nationwide on August 18, 2025, in preparation for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

TJ News Nigeriareports that the registration process will begin with online pre-enrolment, followed by physical biometric capture at INEC-designated centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Voter Registration Begins Nationwide August 18

The announcement was made by Prof. Sam Egwu, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, during a press conference held on Monday in Makurdi.

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According to Egwu, the CVR process is structured in two phases:

Phase 1: Online pre-registration via the INEC official portal – begins August 18, 2025
Phase 2: In-person registration at INEC Area Offices and designated centres – begins August 25, 2025

Registration at physical locations will take place Mondays to Fridays, between 9:00am and 3:00pm.

Who Is Eligible for Voter Registration?

INEC clarified that the CVR exercise is targeted primarily at Nigerians who meet any of the following criteria:

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Have turned 18 since the last general election in 2023
Missed the previous registration exercise due to absence, imprisonment, or other reasons
Need to replace lost, stolen, or damaged PVCs
Wish to transfer voting location or correct personal details such as names, addresses, or polling unit

“This exercise is to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is left out of the electoral process,” Prof. Egwu emphasized.

Registration is Free—INEC Warns Against Bribery

INEC reiterated that voter registration is entirely free of charge. Citizens are not expected to pay money or offer any form of gratification to INEC officials or agents.

“No Nigerian is expected to pay to be registered. Registration is free, and those who solicit bribes will face legal consequences,” Prof. Egwu warned.

The commission is working with security agencies and civil society groups to monitor and report any fraudulent activities during the exercise.

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INEC Advises Against Last-Minute Rush

INEC urged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the early start to avoid the last-minute rush typically seen in past registration exercises.

Long queues, technical delays, and overcrowding were among the key issues encountered during the 2022–2023 CVR cycle, leading to disenfranchisement for some first-time voters.

Special Provision for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

Prof. Egwu also confirmed that special arrangements have been made to facilitate the registration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue and other affected states.

INEC said the details of those arrangements will be made available through state offices and local government INEC officials, working in collaboration with humanitarian agencies.

INEC to Announce Closing Date Later

While the CVR will begin on August 18, INEC has not yet announced the closing date. The commission stated that sufficient time is needed after the registration window closes to process, verify, and validate all captured data before the 2027 election cycle begins.

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TJ News Nigeria will continue to provide verified updates on the Continuous Voter Registration process, INEC announcements, and guidelines for all prospective voters nationwide.

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