2027: INEC records 10.18m new voters as CVR ends

In late July 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concluded the third phase of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, reporting that 3,867,997 Nigerians successfully completed the process. The final tally marks the culmination of Phase III, Week Eleven, which ended on Sunday, July 26, 2026. These numbers bring the total number of new voters registered since the start of the CVR initiative to approximately 10.18 million. With this addition, the national voter register now includes over 93 million registered citizens, reflecting a significant expansion in electoral participation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The CVR process unfolded in three distinct phases, each contributing to the growing list of newly enrolled voters. In the first phase, around 2,572,054 individuals completed their registration, laying the foundation for subsequent waves. The second phase saw an increase, with 3,748,704 new registrants added, pushing the cumulative count to nearly 10.18 million when combined with the latest phase's results. This steady growth underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure broader representation in the democratic process. To maintain accuracy and prevent duplication, INEC has initiated a de-duplication process for the more than 10 million new registrants. This step is crucial to ensuring that each individual on the voter register is unique and meets the legal criteria for eligibility. Once finalized, these verified names will be integrated into the National Register of Voters, enhancing the reliability of the electoral system. Registration methods varied significantly across the nation. According to INEC data, a majority of registrants opted for physical registration, with 2,697,863 individuals completing their forms at designated centers. Online registration accounted for 1,170,134 completions, demonstrating the increasing role of digital platforms in civic engagement. Despite the rise in e-registration, physical sites remained the dominant choice, capturing nearly 70 percent of all completed registrations. State-level performance highlighted regional disparities in registration activity. Kano State led the charge with 330,906 completed registrations, representing 8.55 percent of the national total. Lagos State followed closely with 181,254, while Delta State came in third with 166,895. Other notable contributors included Edo, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Taraba, Ogun, Bauchi, Jigawa, and Oyo, each registering over 100,000 new voters. Conversely, some states recorded minimal activity, such as Ekiti with just 2,276 registrations and Ondo with 23,824. Osun State stood out as an exception, recording zero registrations during the period due to the suspension of the CVR exercise ahead of its governorship election. This decision aligns with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which allows for temporary halts in certain electoral processes to avoid interference with local elections. INEC emphasized that the current figures represent the outcome of both online and physical registration efforts across the country. As the CVR exercise continues, the commission aims to further expand voter access and enhance transparency, ensuring that all eligible citizens can participate in the democratic process. The upcoming months will likely see continued monitoring and refinement of the registration process to meet the demands of the 2027 elections.