Commission urged prospective voters to visit the official portal, cvr.inecnigeria.org, to commence the registration process, while reminding applicants that physical biometric verification remains compulsory before registration can be completed.
By Princely Onyenwe | 9News Nigeria
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that physical biometric verification remains compulsory for all new voter registrations despite extending the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the country.
The Commission explained that while eligible Nigerians can begin their registration online through the INEC Self-Service Registration Portal, every applicant must appear in person at a designated registration centre to complete biometric capture before registration can be validated and added to the national voter register.
INEC also announced that the nationwide CVR exercise has been extended to Sunday, July 26, 2026, to enable more eligible citizens to register. The Commission urged prospective voters to take advantage of the extension while reminding the public that online pre-registration alone does not qualify anyone as a registered voter without mandatory physical biometric verification.
In a major boost to electoral participation ahead of future elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially launched its Self-Service Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Portal, allowing eligible Nigerians to begin the voter registration process online using their mobile phones and other internet-enabled devices.
The digital registration platform became operational on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, marking another milestone in the Commission’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s electoral system through technology and improve access to voter registration services nationwide.
INEC said the Self-Service Portal is designed to enable first-time voters to initiate their registration online before completing the mandatory biometric capture at designated INEC offices and registration centres across the country.
In a related development, the electoral body announced an extension of the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise from the earlier July 10 deadline to Sunday, July 26, 2026, giving eligible Nigerians an additional opportunity to register.
However, the Commission further urged prospective voters to visit the official portal, cvr.inecnigeria.org, to commence the registration process, while reminding applicants that physical biometric verification remains compulsory before registration can be completed.
INEC says while the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) period has been extended, every applicant must still complete physical biometric verification at an approved registration centre before the registration is valid.
INEC further disclosed that its offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as Local Government Area offices, will continue to attend to applicants daily between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. throughout the registration period.
The Commission encouraged Nigerian citizens who have attained the age of 18, as well as those who have never registered or require updates to their voter records, to take advantage of the online platform and the extended registration window.
Election observers have described the introduction of the self-service registration portal as a significant innovation capable of reducing queues at registration centres, improving operational efficiency, and expanding access to electoral services, particularly for young and tech-savvy Nigerians.
As the July 26 deadline approaches, INEC appealed to eligible citizens not to wait until the last minute, stressing that timely registration is essential for participation in future elections and for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
Disclaimer: The photograph is an independent civic advocacy image used for voter awareness and does not represent an official INEC publication or endorsement.
For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria on +234 08036856526
