By Joy Odor, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a significant overhaul of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), extending registration to all 62 wards and suspending the online pre-registration portal.
The development, according to Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, was approved by the Commission as part of efforts to expand access to registration ahead of the 2026 FCT Area Council elections and the 2027 General Elections.
Under the new arrangement, registration will no longer be limited to the FCT headquarters and the six Area Council offices but will now cover 69 centres, including ward-level locations.
The ward-level exercise will hold from Monday, 29th September to Wednesday, 8th October 2025.
Olumekun explained that the online pre-registration portal will be shut down in the FCT from Monday, 15th September 2025, to ensure applicants complete their biometric capture at designated physical centres.
He stressed that online registration without in-person validation is invalid.
Citing Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC confirmed that voter registration in the FCT will end on 8th October 2025, exactly 90 days before the scheduled FCT Area Council elections on 21st February 2026.
The CVR exercise will resume after the election and continue nationwide until August 2026, when it will be suspended ahead of the 2027 general polls.
INEC has published the list and addresses of the new registration centres on its official platforms and urged eligible voters to take advantage of the devolved exercise.
The Commission also reminded registrants that while transfers are permitted, multiple registrations remain a punishable offence.
“The Commission appeals to all eligible voters in the FCT to seize this opportunity, turn out in their numbers and register ahead of the deadline,” the statement added.
