INEC begins second phase of nationwide voter registration

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - The Independent National Electoral Commission has resumed the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise, marking the start of the second phase of the process.

The resumption, which took effect on Monday, January 5 was confirmed by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, who simply stated that the information was correct.

The move follows the conclusion of the first phase of the CVR, which officially ended on December 10, 2025.

INEC had earlier launched online pre-registration for the exercise on August 18, 2025, before commencing physical registration at designated centres nationwide on August 25, 2025.

In a statement issued in December, the commission revealed that 9,891,801 Nigerians initiated the online pre-registration process during the first phase. Out of this number, 2,572,054 registrations were fully completed nationwide as of November 28, 2025. The completed registrations comprised 1,503,832 online registrations and 1,068,222 registrations concluded through physical enrolment.

INEC explained that the interval between the first and second phases was used to carry out statutory activities required by law, including the display of the voters’ register for claims and objections.

“In accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022, the display of the register of voters for claims and objections was conducted from December 15 to 21, 2025, at local government area offices where the CVR exercise took place,” the commission stated.

The electoral body urged eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the resumption to enrol, transfer their voting locations, or update their personal details. It also encouraged those who registered during the first phase to verify their information, report errors, and raise objections to the inclusion of ineligible or deceased persons on the voters’ register.

INEC, however, noted that CVR activities remain suspended in Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory due to ongoing electoral activities. It added that new dates for the resumption of voter registration in both locations would be announced in due course.