The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched its nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which began with online pre-registration on August 18 and will continue until August 2026. This comprehensive exercise aims to capture eligible Nigerians, including first-time registrants, youths, and those who have relocated, ensuring their participation in upcoming elections, such as the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State and the 2027 general elections.

Initial national data provided by Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, revealed that a total of 1,379,342 people participated in the online pre-registration within the first week of commencement. The data shows a significant participation of young people, with 860,286 registrants (62.37%) aged between 18 and 34 years. In terms of gender distribution, 661,846 (47.96%) were male, and 717,856 (52.04%) were female. Students constituted a substantial portion, accounting for 374,534 (27.15%) of registrants, while 27,089 (1.96%) were persons with disabilities. The online platform was designed to alleviate congestion at physical registration centres, a goal that appears to be embraced by many young and tech-savvy citizens.

However, the exercise has been met with mixed reactions across different states. In Kano State, some eligible individuals reported encountering network problems on the INEC server when attempting online registration, with instances of repeated failures. Despite these challenges, an INEC staff member urged people not to be discouraged. Furthermore, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano, Ambassador Abdu Zango, highlighted that over 360,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected in the state, calling on a newly established state government committee for public awareness to intensify sensitisation campaigns. INEC in Kano also organized a two-day training for Registration Area Officers (RAOs) from all 44 local government areas.

In contrast, residents in Kwara State, including new voters and those who misplaced their cards, reported smooth experiences with the online pre-registration. Similarly, in Ondo State, urban residents in Akure praised the online system for its convenience, with some successfully completing registration from their phones in about 10 minutes. Yet, rural areas in Ondo faced significant setbacks due to poor internet connectivity, forcing residents to travel to urban centres for registration. Despite this, the state's Deputy Director, HOD VEP INEC, Mr. Yinka Ogunseye, noted an encouraging turnout, emphasizing that those unable to complete the online process could still visit INEC offices.

Akwa Ibom State also saw an impressive turnout, with the exercise moving from online pre-registration on August 18 to physical capture at local government offices on August 25. Young people expressed excitement, and those relocating praised the ease of transferring voting credentials. Nevertheless, challenges persisted, including long queues, slow service, unstable internet in rural areas, and equipment breakdowns, leading to frustration for some registrants. INEC officials acknowledged these issues, assuring that additional registration kits were being deployed and technical teams were on standby, while also cautioning against multiple registrations which lead to disqualification.

Voter mobilization efforts are underway, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State directing all ward and local government leaders to initiate community-level campaigns. This strategy includes door-to-door visits, community sensitisation sessions, and targeted digital campaigns for young voters. Logistics support is also being provided to assist vulnerable groups like the elderly and those in hard-to-reach areas. The Lagos APC stressed the importance of securing a PVC as a foundational step for sustaining good governance and ensuring democratic participation.

A state-wise breakdown of online pre-registrations within the first week revealed significant disparities. Osun State recorded the highest number with 393,269 registrations (28.51%), followed by Lagos State with 222,205 (16.11%), and Ogun State with 132,823 (9.63%). The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also showed a strong turnout with 107,682 (7.81%). Conversely, three states in the South East—Ebonyi, Imo, and Enugu—were at the bottom with 261, 481, and 484 registrations, respectively. Physical registration commenced on the Monday following the online launch at INEC’s 811 state and local government offices nationwide, providing an in-person option for all eligible citizens to complete their registration.