A prospective voter having a passport capture. Photo Source: BBC Pidgin.
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Voter registration is the process by which a citizen aged 18 or above documents their identity details, including biometric capture, to qualify to cast their vote in an election.
Meanwhile, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is a process that allows a citizen who was unable to register for a previous election to document their personal details, thereby making them eligible to participate in an upcoming election.
In 2025, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the CVR process would begin on August 18, 2025, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Recently, INEC announced an extension of the CVR for another two weeks. The CVR exercise, scheduled to end on July 10, 2026, has been extended to July 26, 2026.
Eligible citizens can opt to commence their registration online (making their information accessible at all registration centres in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and State offices) and complete it offline, or do the entire process physically at registration centres.
Here is a breakdown of how to go about the online registration:
- Create an account
A prospective voter may access the online voter registration portal on INEC’s website and create an account using a computer or mobile device. Thereafter, a confirmation email will be sent to them to complete account creation.
- Registration via a social media account
A prospective voter can also access the online registration portal using their social media account, as specified on the portal. Thereafter, the prospective voter inputs their personal details as requested and selects their preferred polling unit. They would also be required to upload a well-lit passport photograph.
- Visit the nearest registration centre
The prospective voter then chooses an appointment date to go physically to the designated registration centre closest to them to complete the registration.
- Slip generation
Before the prospective voter visits the registration centre, they have to generate a slip that will be presented to INEC officials. The slip is the online form they filled out, including their photograph. They thereafter submit the form, and the portal will generate an application slip for them.
- Print slip
The prospective voter then downloads and prints the slip. They must carry the printed slip, along with a valid form of identity, such as the National Identity Number (NIN), to the physical registration centre to complete their biometric capture.
- Fingerprint capture
Once the prospective voter’s fingerprint is captured and other registration processes are completed, a Temporary Voter’s Card (TVC) will be printed for them. They are expected to keep it until INEC contacts them to pick up their PVCs. This may be between one and three months.
