Commission urges eligible Nigerians to register as CVR exercise enters final window
By Ezekiel Ayuba | Abuja, Nigeria | May 5, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the resumption of the third and final phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, scheduled to begin nationwide on May 11, 2026.
The exercise will run until July 10, 2026, providing a final opportunity for eligible Nigerians to register ahead of future elections.
INEC disclosed that the CVR, which was earlier suspended on April 17, will resume after the commission completed a clean-up of the voter register following its publication for claims and objections.
Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the final phase is critical to ensuring an accurate and credible voter database.
He urged Nigerians who have attained the age of 18, as well as those who missed earlier registration phases, to take advantage of the exercise.
The commission also advised registered voters seeking transfers, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), or correction of biodata to visit its online portal or designated registration centres nationwide.
Register to Be Displayed for Verification
INEC announced that the voters’ register will be displayed from July 23 to July 29, 2026, for public scrutiny in line with statutory provisions.
The exercise will allow citizens to verify details, raise objections, and help enhance the credibility of the electoral register.
Stakeholder Engagement in Benue
In a related development, INEC held a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, to discuss the restoration of four previously suppressed state constituencies in compliance with court orders.
The affected constituencies include Gboko III, Konshisha (Shangev Tiev), Makurdi III, and Ukum III.
INEC National Commissioner supervising Benue, Sunday Ajah, called for cooperation from stakeholders to ensure a smooth restoration process.
Government Calls for Swift Action
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Sam Ode, urged stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues quickly to enable the election of representatives into the restored constituencies.
He emphasised that INEC was acting in compliance with court judgments and does not have the authority to alter constituency delineations arbitrarily.
Criticism Trails INEC Process
Meanwhile, public affairs commentator Usman Okai criticised aspects of the commission’s approach, alleging attempts to undermine grassroots representation.
He questioned INEC’s position on constituency structure, arguing that its interpretation could disadvantage certain areas.
As INEC prepares to commence the final phase of voter registration, the commission faces both the task of expanding voter participation and addressing concerns over electoral processes. The success of the exercise will be pivotal to strengthening electoral integrity ahead of future polls.
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