The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says more than 1.3 million Nigerians have pre-registered online for voter cards within the first week of the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission revealed that 1,379,342 applications were recorded between August 18, when the online exercise began, and August 24.
INEC described the turnout as “an encouraging start” to the registration process, which will run until August 30, 2026.
A gender breakdown showed that 661,846 registrants, representing 47.96 per cent, are male, while 717,856, or 52.04 per cent, are female. Young Nigerians aged 18 to 34 accounted for the majority, with 860,286 entries, representing 62.37 per cent of the total.
By occupation, students made up the highest group with 374,534 registrants, or 27.15 per cent, while 27,089 persons with disabilities, representing 1.96 per cent, also participated in the online process.
“Full details have been published on our website and other official platforms for public information,” the Commission noted.
Meanwhile, in-person registration commenced on Monday across INEC’s 811 state and local government offices nationwide. This option caters to citizens who prefer physical registration, as well as those completing an application started online.
The electoral body reminded Nigerians that the exercise is open only to citizens aged 18 and above who have not previously registered, stressing that multiple registrations remain an offence under the law.
It further clarified that voters may apply to transfer their registration between states or within the Federal Capital Territory and can also request replacements for lost or damaged voter cards.
While assuring that registration will continue for one year, INEC urged eligible citizens to avoid waiting until the final days of the exercise. “From experience, the registration centres are inundated by eleventh-hour registrants amidst appeals for extension of time,” the Commission warned.
With the physical phase now underway, INEC expressed confidence that the combined online and in-person platforms will make the CVR process more accessible ahead of the 2027 general elections.
