2027 Elections: INEC To Begin Nationwide Voter Registration August 18

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will begin across the country on August 18, 2025, in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Prof. Sam Egwu, disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday in Makurdi, stating that the registration would take place in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to Egwu, the process will commence with online pre-registration via the official INEC website, after which eligible Nigerians will proceed to physical centres for biometric capture and final enrolment.

“The online pre-registration will begin on August 18, and will be followed by in-person registration at INEC Area Offices and designated centres across the country starting from August 25, 2025, between 9am and 3pm, Mondays to Fridays,” he said.

Prof. Egwu clarified that the CVR exercise is primarily targeted at Nigerians who:

• Have turned 18 years old since the last election in 2023
• Were unable to register previously due to absence from the country, imprisonment, or disinterest
• Need to replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)
• Require corrections of details or transfer of registration from one ward, local government, state, or polling unit to another

“This exercise is also to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is left out of the electoral process,” he added.

The INEC REC warned registrants not to pay any money or offer gratification in exchange for registration.

“No Nigerian is expected to pay to be registered. Registration is free of charge, and those who solicit bribes will face the consequences,” Egwu said.

He also encouraged citizens to take advantage of the early start and avoid the usual last-minute rush, which often results in long queues and frustration.

Egwu assured that special provisions have been made for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state and across Nigeria.

He noted that INEC would announce the closing date for this round of registration at a later time, saying the commission will require time afterwards for data processing and validation.