By Reportcircle Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says more than 505,000 Nigerians have pre-registered online for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise within five days of its resumption.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, represented by National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the official flag-off of the Commission’s nationwide sensitisation campaign.
“As at midnight of Thursday, 22nd of August, 2025, over 505,906 citizens have pre-registered since the portal opened five days ago. For us, this is a testament that Nigerians believe in our democracy and the efforts of the Commission to further strengthen the electoral process,” Yakubu said.
The CVR exercise, which began with online pre-registration on August 18, will enter its physical phase on Monday, August 25. From then, citizens will complete their registration at INEC state and local government offices nationwide, where their biometrics will be captured.
As part of its mobilisation efforts, INEC staged a colourful roadshow through Abuja, with officials distributing flyers and engaging residents from Maitama through Banex Plaza in Wuse to Wuse Market. Similar sensitisation activities are expected across the country.
Yakubu urged eligible citizens, particularly youths who have just turned 18, first-time voters, and those needing to update or transfer their voter records to take advantage of the opportunity.
He also appealed to political parties, civil society organisations, and the media to support awareness campaigns.
“Your Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is key to making your voice heard,” he stressed.
The Commission said the CVR will run at 811 centres nationwide, including all 774 local government offices, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.
Through its portal, www.cvr.inecnigeria.org, citizens can pre-register, confirm their status, locate centres, transfer registration, replace lost PVCs, or update personal details.
INEC also assured that provisions have been made to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Yakubu added that voter registration remains a “shared responsibility of all citizens” and a crucial step in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, assured Nigerians that the Commission is fully prepared to commence in-person registration across its offices nationwide.
She cautioned citizens who have already registered against attempting to do so again, noting that double registration is an electoral offence with legal consequences.
She advised those below the age of 18 to wait until they attain the eligible age before registering.
“You must be 18 at the point of registration,” she stressed. This first phase will run until December 10, after which there will be a break.
“We will resume again in January 2026, and the exercise will run in three phases until August 30, 2026. So, anyone who is not 18 now but will turn 18 before August 30, 2026, can take advantage of the exercise before it closes.”
