Some opposition political parties and civil society organisations have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. They expressed concern that millions of citizens could face exclusion from the 2027 general elections.
However, INEC has insisted that the exercise ends today (Sunday), July 26, 2026. The commission urged those yet to register to take advantage of the remaining hours before the registration window closes.
INEC rules out extension
The INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, told Sunday PUNCH that the commission would not extend the deadline. He stressed that the registration exercise had to close to allow the electoral body to begin cleaning the data already collected.
“By midnight on Sunday, voter registration ends. There won’t be any extension,” he said. “There are so many things that we need to do at the back end. We have to draw a line; otherwise, we won’t be able to produce a clean copy of what has been posted.”
Opposition parties criticise closure
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, said voter registration should not tie to specific timelines. He argued that Nigerians should have unrestricted access to the registration process.
Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, faulted the planned closure. He argued that the exercise was designed to be continuous and should remain open.
CSOs echo concerns
The President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, called on INEC to consider extending the registration period. She noted that about six months remained before the 2027 general elections.
“Given that there are six clear months before the general elections, there may be a need to relax the closure of voter registration for some more weeks,” she said.
The Chairman of the BallotEyes Working Group, Olasupo Abideen, described the closure as premature. He explained that INEC could have extended the exercise until November.
APC, Yiaga Africa back INEC
However, the APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, said INEC required a registration deadline to adequately plan for the elections.
The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, also defended INEC’s decision. He said the commission acted within the timelines stipulated by the Electoral Act.
“The commission requires sufficient time to clean the register, adjudicate claims and objections, remove duplicates, print voter registers and complete other pre-election preparations,” he said.
He added that while the closure may disappoint some prospective voters, certainty and adherence to the electoral timetable are essential for effective election planning.
Read also: Voter registration ends Sunday, INEC reminds Nigerians
