The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has commenced its registration process across the federation, after a three-week break for administrative cleanup. The first phase recorded high engagement and was concluded on December 10, 2025.
According to reports, nearly 10 million Nigerians participated in the registration process online last year, but a huge gap still remains. While 9,891,801 Nigerians began registration online in Phase 1, only 2,572,054, which is roughly 26%, successfully completed the physical biometric capture.
This new registration phase which is currently ongoing, permits citizens who do not have a voters card to register, and also gives registered voters the liberty to transfer their voting location, or correct errors on their existing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The interval was used to carry out statutory activities required by law… we urge eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the resumption to register or update their details -INEC
INEC also stated that the biometric capture machines are operational in 774 Local Government Area (LGA) offices.
The intermission between phases on December 15-21, 2025, was a statutory requirement under Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022. During this period, the body was charged to identify deceased persons or ineligible names for accurate representation of data ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Registration remains suspended in Anambra State, following the November 2025 Governorship election and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), due to the upcoming Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.
The CVR is not just for new voters. It is the only window for existing voters to transfer their polling units if they have relocated or to replace lost or damaged PVCs.
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