The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, providing Nigerians with an opportunity to register, update their records, or replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to INEC, the exercise is being conducted in two phases. The first, an online pre-registration, officially began on Monday, August 18, 2025, through the dedicated portal cvr.inecnigeria.org. This allows eligible Nigerians to fill in their details, schedule appointments, and make corrections to personal information before visiting physical centres.

The second phase, in-person registration, kicked off on Monday, August 25, 2025, across 774 Local Government Areas and other designated centres nationwide. The exercise runs weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, explained that the CVR is designed to give every qualified citizen the chance to participate in the electoral process. He urged Nigerians, especially youths who recently turned 18, to take advantage of the registration window.

“The Commission is committed to ensuring that no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised. The CVR will remain open until well before the 2027 elections, but we encourage citizens to register early,” Yakubu stated.

Reports from the first day of the online registration showed massive interest, with over 69,000 Nigerians completing pre-registration within the first seven hours. Data from INEC indicated that a majority of those who signed up were youths aged between 18 and 34 years.

The Commission also noted that the exercise covers:

Fresh registration for those who have never registered.

Transfer of registration for voters who have relocated.

Replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.

Correction of personal details such as name, age, or gender.

INEC has assured the public of transparent, hitch-free registration, emphasizing that the process is free of charge.

For Kwale and other parts of Delta State, registration centres have been activated at INEC local government offices, with additional centres expected to open in wards and communities in the coming weeks.

With the CVR now underway, all eyes are on Nigerians to seize this opportunity to strengthen their voice at the ballot box in 2027.