By Our Reporter

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise by two weeks and introduced an online self-service option for first-time voters.

In a press statement signed by National Commissioner and Chairman, INEC Voter Education Committee IVEC, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Friday, July 3, 2026, INEC said the extension follows a review of the exercise and feedback from state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

The nationwide CVR exercise commenced on August 18, 2025, and was initially scheduled to end on July 10, 2026.

“To provide additional opportunity for eligible citizens who are yet to register, the Commission has extended the exercise to Friday, 24th July 2026,” the Commission stated.

INEC said the extension “underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable opportunity to be included in the Register of Voters ahead of future electoral activities.”

In a major innovation, INEC announced the rollout of a self-service registration portal for eligible first-time voters. The service will go live on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, via the Commission’s dedicated CVR portal: http://cvr.inecnigeria.org.

“The self-service option will enable eligible citizens to initiate and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without having to physically visit an INEC office,” the statement said.

According to INEC, the system includes “robust identity verification, biometric validation, and backend integrity checks designed to preserve the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters.” A step-by-step guide will be provided on the portal.

The Commission urged all eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the extended window and the new digital option.

“INEC remains committed to a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process, and to advancing the use of technology to improve citizens’ experience in the electoral process,” it added.