INEC records 2.6 million new voters in ongoing CVR Phase II

Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, says over 2.6 million Nigerians have completed registration in the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, highlighting renewed participation ahead of future elections.

The commission disclosed this in its week 10 update released on Tuesday, noting that a total of 2,657,784 eligible voters had completed the process as of March 13, 2026.

According to the data, 1,563,169 registrants completed their pre-registration online before finalising the process physically, while 1,094,615 Nigerians opted for entirely physical registration. The figures reflect a growing reliance on digital channels, even as physical verification remains a mandatory step in Nigeria’s voter registration process.

INEC emphasised that the numbers remain provisional, subject to verification and clean-up processes. These include a period for claims and objections, as well as the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which is used to eliminate duplicate or invalid registrations.

The commission also reiterated that voter registration activities remain suspended in the Federal Capital Territory following the area council elections held in February, in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

Youths, women dominate new voter registrations

A closer look at the data reveals strong participation among young Nigerians, with individuals aged 18 to 34 accounting for the majority of new registrants. This group recorded 1,813,082 registrations, representing 68.22 per cent of the total figure.

The gender distribution also shows a notable lead for female registrants, who accounted for 1,508,858 registrations, or 57 per cent, compared to 1,148,926 male registrants, representing 43 per cent.

In terms of occupation, students emerged as the largest group, with 640,826 registrations, underscoring the growing political awareness among Nigeria’s youth population. This was followed by individuals engaged in business activities, who accounted for 540,376 registrants.

INEC’s data further indicated that 37,687 persons living with disabilities had successfully registered during the period, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity in Nigeria’s electoral process.

At the state level, northern states recorded some of the highest participation rates. Jigawa led with 171,471 completed registrations, followed by Lagos with 154,565 and Kano with 136,073. On the other end, Anambra recorded the lowest number of registrations at 21,836.

Digital shift and credibility concerns shape registration exercise

The CVR exercise continues to reflect a gradual shift toward digital engagement in Nigeria’s electoral system, with more than half of registrants initiating the process online. This hybrid model, combining online pre-registration with physical biometric capture, has been central to INEC’s efforts to streamline voter enrolment while maintaining data integrity.

However, the commission has consistently cautioned that the headline figures should not be interpreted as final voter additions until all verification processes are completed. The use of biometric systems such as ABIS is critical in identifying duplicate entries and ensuring that the voter register remains credible.

The broader significance of the CVR exercise lies in its role as a foundation for electoral participation in Africa’s most populous country. Historically, voter turnout and registration patterns in Nigeria have been influenced by trust in the electoral process, accessibility of registration centres, and broader socio-economic conditions.

By encouraging eligible Nigerians to register through its official portals, INEC is aiming to expand the voter base while addressing long-standing challenges related to inclusion and data accuracy.

As the exercise progresses, the final validated figures will provide clearer insight into voter readiness and engagement levels ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. For now, the 2.6 million registrations signal a significant level of interest, particularly among young people, even as questions around data validation and electoral credibility remain central to the process.

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