The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the third and final phase of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will officially resume on Monday, May 11, 2026. 

This announcement follows a brief hiatus after the conclusion of the second phase on April 17, during which the commission processed over 3.7 million completed registrations. The upcoming window represents the last major opportunity for eligible citizens to register or update their details ahead of the 2027 General Election.

During this final phase, INEC will provide services including fresh voter registration for those who have recently turned 18, as well as the transfer of voting locations for citizens who have relocated. Registered voters who have lost their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or possess cards with defaced information will also be able to apply for replacements or corrections.

The commission has emphasized that the online pre-registration portal will be fully active, allowing applicants to schedule appointments for biometric capture at designated local government offices and registration centers nationwide.

According to the commission’s current electoral calendar, the entire CVR exercise is scheduled to conclude on August 30, 2026. This hard deadline is intended to allow sufficient time for the cleaning up of the national voters’ register, the elimination of duplicate entries through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), and the printing of new PVCs. INEC officials have urged Nigerians not to wait until the final weeks of August to participate, citing the expected surge in traffic at registration centers as the window draws to a close.

The resumption of voter registration comes at a critical time as the nation prepares for significant off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, scheduled for June and August 2026, respectively.

While the register for these specific elections has largely been finalized, the commission maintains that a robust and accurate national database is essential for the integrity of the broader democratic process. Citizens are encouraged to visit the official INEC portal or their nearest local government headquarters starting next week to ensure their eligibility for future polls.