High Turnout Prompts INEC to Extend FCT Voter Registration by Four Days
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across wards in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by four days following an impressive turnout of prospective voters.
The extension was approved during the Commission’s Third Quarterly Meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held on Tuesday, where ongoing electoral activities were reviewed.
INEC announced the decision in a statement released Wednesday by Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of the Voter Education and Publicity Department.
The registration, initially scheduled to end on Wednesday, October 8, will now continue until Sunday, October 12, 2025.
“Following the review, the Commission approved a four-day extension of the ongoing Ward-level CVR exercise in the FCT,” the statement read.
“Consequently, the exercise which was earlier scheduled to end today, Wednesday, 8th October 2025, will now continue until Sunday, 12th October 2025.”
The registration began on September 5, 2025, and has so far recorded 55,346 new voters in the FCT, comprising 38,528 online pre-registrations and 16,818 completed physical registrations.
“This impressive turnout underscores the growing civic awareness among residents and the effectiveness of devolving the exercise to the grassroots,” the Commission stated.
INEC reaffirmed that the online pre-registration option remains suspended in the FCT, insisting that all pre-registrants must complete their registration in person at designated centres.
“As earlier announced, the online pre-registration option in the FCT remains suspended to enable all pre-registrants to complete their registration in person at the designated centres,” Eta-Messi added. “This measure ensures the validity of their records in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.”
The Commission urged eligible residents who have not yet registered to take advantage of the extension and reminded registered voters seeking to transfer their registration to do so within the extended period. It also warned against multiple registrations, describing it as “a punishable offence under the law.”
INEC further assured the public that the list and addresses of all registration centres are available on its official website and social media platforms.
The CVR extension comes as preparations intensify for the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Last month, the Commission published the final list of candidates contesting the 2026 polls, featuring aspirants from 17 political parties who met the August 11, 2025, nomination deadline.
A total of 68 elective positions will be contested across the six area councils—Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji, comprising six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats. Campaigns for the elections are already underway.
