The nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise launched by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recorded an impressive turnout on its first day, with 69,376 Nigerians completing online pre-registration as at Monday afternoon.
According to figures released by the Commission, women accounted for 51.3 percent of registrants (35,573), while men made up 48.7 percent (33,803).
A large majority of the applicants—48,033 or 69.2 percent—were young people between the ages of 18 and 34, reflecting the growing enthusiasm among first-time voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC explained that the online registration portal went live by 8:30 a.m. on Monday and had recorded the figure by 3:00 p.m. The in-person registration phase is scheduled to commence on Monday, August 25, across 811 state and local government offices nationwide.
This second phase will allow Nigerians who began the process online to complete their registration, as well as those who prefer physical registration.
The Commission emphasised that only eligible Nigerian citizens who are at least 18 years old and not previously registered are allowed to sign up.
However, transfers of voter registration between states or within states, as well as replacement of lost or damaged voter cards, are permitted under the exercise.
Across the states, the exercise got off to a smooth start. In Akwa Ibom, INEC officials said sensitisation campaigns had been carried out to encourage participation. Similar reports emerged from Rivers, Edo, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kwara, and Plateau states, where young people were among the first to take advantage of the online portal.
In Borno State, however, security challenges have affected the deployment of physical registration centres. INEC confirmed that registration would only take place in 23 of the 27 local government areas.
Due to persistent attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), four local governments—Abadam, Guzamala, Kala Balge, and Marte—will have their registrations relocated to Maiduguri, the state capital.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and political actors have begun urging citizens to seize the opportunity. In Kwara, political parties pledged to mobilise their members, while in Plateau, INEC confirmed that preparations were in place to ensure registration in all 17 local governments once the physical exercise begins.
Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, also called on Nigerians to register and secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing that voter cards remain the most powerful tool citizens possess to influence governance and secure accountability.
He further warned against the dangers of vote buying, describing it as a practice that undermines democracy and robs citizens of their right to development.
INEC has announced that it will release weekly updates on the exercise, providing detailed breakdowns by state, gender, age, occupation, and disability.
With registration already showing strong engagement on day one, the Commission expressed confidence that millions of Nigerians will participate in the process, which is expected to run simultaneously online and in-person until the next general election cycle.
