By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in conjunction with Yiaga Africa and with support from the European Union, on Monday flagged off a Mega Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Centre in Abuja to expand voter registration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Mega CVR Centre at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, the National Commissioner supervising the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed that 31,835 new voter registrations have been successfully completed across the FCT since the commencement of the third phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
Haruna in a Press conference said the Mega Registration Centre, established by INEC in collaboration with Yiaga Africa and supported by the European Union under the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) Programme, will operate from July 13 to July 26, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily.
He explained that the third phase of the CVR exercise is particularly significant because voter registration was suspended in October 2025 to allow preparations for the February 2026 FCT Area Council elections, making the current exercise the final opportunity for eligible residents to register or update their voter records before the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the establishment of the Mega CVR Centre is aimed at increasing access to voter registration, reducing congestion at existing registration centres, accommodating the anticipated surge in prospective registrants, and ensuring that no eligible Nigerian is denied the opportunity to register due to distance or overcrowding.
Haruna urged all eligible Nigerians residing in the FCT who have attained the age of 18, as well as those seeking transfer of registration, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), or correction of personal details, to take advantage of the exercise before it closes.
The INEC National Commissioner also highlighted the Commission’s newly introduced self-service online voter registration platform, which allows eligible citizens to initiate and complete their registration, including biometric capture, without physically visiting an INEC registration centre.
He said the innovation is designed to simplify voter registration, reduce overcrowding at registration centres, improve service delivery, and make the process more accessible, especially for youths, students, persons with disabilities, workers with demanding schedules and citizens in remote communities.
Haruna reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to delivering transparent, credible, inclusive and technology-driven elections, while calling on civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, youth groups, educational institutions, community-based organisations and the media to intensify public awareness campaigns on the ongoing voter registration exercise.
He also commended Yiaga Africa and the European Union for their continued support towards strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria, describing the partnership as instrumental to the establishment of the Mega CVR Centre.
Speaking with journalists, Yetunde Bakare, Programme Manager of Yiaga Africa, said the additional registration centre became necessary due to the growing number of prospective registrants and the inability of some applicants to complete the process before the close of daily registration at existing centres.
She noted that the Mega Centre would ease pressure on other registration centres and provide more eligible Nigerians the opportunity to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of future elections.
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, Samuel Bassey, said the Commission’s expectation is to register as many eligible Nigerians as possible during the exercise, urging residents not to wait until the final days before completing their registration.
