INEC Extends Voter Registration Deadline to July 24

… Launches Online Self-Service for New Voters
By Oluwaseun Omidiran

The Independent National Electoral Commission has extended the Continuous Voter Registration by two weeks, shifting the deadline from July 10 to July 24, 2026.

INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the extension followed consultations with state offices, political parties, civil society groups and other stakeholders.

The CVR, which began August 18, 2025, is designed to ensure all eligible Nigerians are captured on the National Register of Voters ahead of upcoming elections.

Online registration for first-timers begins July 8
As part of the exercise, INEC will roll out a new self-service portal on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, allowing first-time voters to complete registration entirely online.

Applicants can now handle the full process — including biometric capture — from personal devices, without visiting INEC offices.

Haruna said the platform integrates identity verification, biometric validation, and backend integrity checks to safeguard the accuracy and credibility of the voter register.

The Commission urged eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the extension and the new digital option. It reaffirmed its commitment to a credible, inclusive, and technology-driven registration process.