The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that Nigeria's registered voters have risen to over 103 million, following the completion of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. This development is a significant milestone in the country's electoral process, as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, revealed this information at a strategic workshop for editors in Abuja, organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with INEC.
According to Amupitan, the CVR exercise was conducted in three phases, with the first phase commencing on August 25, 2025, and ending on December 10, 2025, registering 2,611,266 voters. The second phase took place from January 5, 2026, to April 17, 2026, registering 4,121,835 voters, while the third phase occurred from May 11, 2026, to July 26, 2026, registering 3,867,997 voters. The total new registration stands at 10,772,421, subject to the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) verification currently being concluded.
Amupitan emphasized that INEC has procured 57,000 additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices to ensure optimal performance in the upcoming elections. He also highlighted the introduction of new technologies, including the Online Registration Portal and Printable PVC technology, aimed at making voter registration and card collection more efficient. These innovations are part of INEC's efforts to enhance the electoral process and ensure a free, fair, transparent, and credible election.
The INEC Chairman stressed that the Commission has no preferred candidate, party, or agenda other than to guarantee a credible election. He urged editors to work with INEC to build a public space powered by verified facts, civic responsibility, and institutional trust. Amupitan noted that the theme of the workshop, 'Strengthening Democracy Through Partnership Among Editors, Civil Society and Electoral Institutions,' captures the tripartite alliance required to safeguard the ballot box and defend the sovereignty of the Nigerian voter.
Amupitan informed the editors that INEC has successfully executed eight of the 14 critical statutory activities and is advancing toward the conclusion of the ninth milestone, as outlined in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election. He also announced that the nationwide collection of Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) will commence on October 9, 2026, and urged registered voters to collect their cards promptly.
To ensure seamless field execution, INEC initiated a comprehensive nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment programme across all six geopolitical zones. The programme involves physical readiness audits and staff engagements to assess state office facilities, safe storage facilities, security command protocols, and logistics deployment networks. Amupitan emphasized that INEC is leaving nothing to chance, leveraging technology to guarantee that every valid vote counts and that electoral outcomes reflect the true choice of the electorate.
Amupitan warned that the information ecosystem faces unprecedented threats, including deepfakes, manipulated audio-visual content, coordinated fake news campaigns, and premature declaration of unverified results. He urged editors to insist on rigorous fact-checking, reject sensationalized clickbait, and cross-check unverified field rumors with INEC's official channels before publishing. This, he believes, is crucial in combating the danger of fake news and safeguarding the democratic fabric of the nation.
Key points
- Nigeria's registered voters have increased to 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- INEC has procured 57,000 additional BVAS devices to ensure optimal performance in the upcoming elections.
- The nationwide collection of Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) will commence on October 9, 2026.
