The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by an additional two weeks and introduced an online self-service registration portal for eligible first-time voters.

The commission announced the development in a statement issued on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

According to INEC, the decision followed a review of the exercise and feedback from its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

The CVR exercise, which began on August 18, 2025, was initially scheduled to end on July 10, 2026, but will now close on Friday, July 24, 2026.

INEC said the extension is intended to give more eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“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,” the statement said.

The commission also unveiled an online self-service portal that allows eligible Nigerians to begin and complete their voter registration process, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without visiting an INEC office.

It said the platform features robust identity verification, biometric validation and backend integrity checks to safeguard the credibility and accuracy of the national voter register.

INEC added that a step-by-step guide would be provided on the portal to assist users throughout the registration process.

The electoral body urged eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of both the extended registration period and the new online option.

It reaffirmed its commitment to a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process while leveraging technology to improve citizens’ participation in the electoral process.