The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported a strong public response to the launch of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with tens of thousands of Nigerians pre-registering online within hours of the portal going live.
According to INEC, a total of 69,376 citizens completed their online pre-registration within the first seven hours on Monday, August 18, 2025. The surge coincided with heightened interest on social media, following a viral post by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, which appeared to spur civic engagement.
The online platform, launched at 8:30 a.m. on the same day, is accessible around the clock through the commission’s official website, giving eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register at their convenience.
Confirming the development, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, stated:
“The portal went live at 8.30 a.m., and by 3.30 p.m., 69,376 Nigerians had already pre-registered online.”
Breakdown of Registrants:
- Total registrants: 69,376
- Male: 33,803 (48.7%)
- Female: 35,573 (51.3%)
- Young persons (18–34 years): 48,033 (69.2%)
Olumekun reiterated that:
“The portal is available 24 hours every day of the week at its official website.”
In-Person CVR to Begin Nationwide August 25
INEC also disclosed that physical registration will commence on August 25, 2025, at its 37 state offices and 774 local government area (LGA) offices nationwide. These centres will handle biometric verification, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, and other related services.
The commission assured Nigerians that the registration centres have been strategically located to ensure accessibility across the country. Citizens were encouraged to visit the centres closest to them for efficient service delivery.
This renewed momentum in voter registration marks a significant step in preparations for the 2027 general elections, highlighting both the role of digital platforms and the power of civic mobilisation in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
