By Atoyebi Nike
The Independent National Electoral Commission says it completed 2,685,725 voter registrations in the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which ended on December 10.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced the figures on Thursday at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Stakeholders Forum in Abuja. He said the total includes 1,576,137 online registrations and 1,109,588 physical captures, noting that turnout was highest in Osun, Kaduna, Plateau, Imo, Borno and Lagos.
Amupitan said Phase One ran from August 18 to December 10, adding that the claims and objections window opens on December 15 to allow citizens verify and correct entries before consolidation.
He urged civil society groups to help mobilize participation, warning that the voter register had not been comprehensively cleaned since 2011. He cited the case of a well-known Anambra figure who died 15 years ago but still appeared on the register, calling it a credibility concern.
The INEC chairman said Phase Two will begin on January 5, 2026, with registration centres moved closer to wards to ease access challenges.
Speaking on vote buying, Amupitan said the Commission had written to the police, EFCC and other agencies seeking updates on individuals arrested for inducement, noting that INEC can only prosecute cases after investigation.
He added that the BVAS and IReV systems have improved transparency but often face network limitations during elections. He recalled instances during a mock accreditation exercise in Anambra where unstable service delayed uploads in some polling units.
Amupitan said INEC is working with the NCC and mobile network operators on alternative technologies but stressed that the commission does not control telecom infrastructure. He said INEC hopes to eventually operate its own dedicated service network.
The CVR provides an opportunity for citizens who have turned 18, those who were never registered, or those who have changed residence to update or transfer their voter records.
