INEC Insists Voter Registration Ends Today, Rules Out Deadline Extension

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ends today, Sunday, July 26, 2026. Despite appeals from opposition parties and civil society groups for more time, the commission says the deadline will not be extended and has urged eligible Nigerians to complete their registration before the exercise closes. 

According to INEC, registration centres across the country will remain open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the final day. Nigerians can also complete the online registration process through the commission’s official CVR platform or visit designated registration centres for assistance before the deadline expires. 

INEC explained that it cannot extend the exercise because it needs time to clean and verify the voter database ahead of the 2027 general elections. The commission will use its biometric identification system to detect and remove duplicate registrations before publishing the provisional voter register for public review. 

The announcement has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians. While many support INEC’s decision to keep the election timetable on track, others believe more time should have been given to allow additional eligible voters to register. For anyone who has not yet completed the process, today is the final opportunity to be included in the voters’ register for the 2027 elections.