Stakeholders Push for Expanded Centres, Legal Review, and Tech-Driven, Inclusive Process
As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gears up for the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, political parties and civil society organisations (CSOs) are demanding a more accessible, transparent, and technology-driven registration process.
Scheduled to kick off on August 18, 2025, the CVR will begin with online pre-registration via cvr.inecnigeria.org, while in-person registration at INEC’s Local Government Area offices and other designated centres will begin August 25, operating weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The CVR targets Nigerians who turned 18 since the last exercise and others who missed out, ahead of critical elections in Anambra (November 2025) and upcoming off-cycle polls in Osun and Ekiti States.
CSOs: Remove Barriers, Clean Up Register
Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, called on INEC to clean the existing voter register, remove duplicate entries, and eliminate names of deceased individuals. He also stressed the need to expand registration centres beyond LGA offices and adopt remote biometric capturing if the law still requires physical appearance.
“Functionality and reliability are essential… The commission must draw lessons from past lapses and make this round more transparent and secure,” Itodo stated.
Other CSOs echoed these sentiments. Armsfree Ajanaku of Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation criticised Section 10(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates physical appearance, calling it outdated and demanding legal reforms.
Sylvanus Udoenoh, from CREAP Africa Initiative, condemned the recurring hardships faced by citizens during voter registration and challenged INEC to scale up its digital transformation.
“Democracy must be accessible. Voter registration shouldn’t be a stressful or exclusive experience,” Udoenoh said, urging the deployment of mobile registration units and improved public communication.
INEC: Nigerians Must Register Early
INEC has reassured the public of its preparedness. According to Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, the commission has made adequate arrangements to ensure a smooth experience.
Oyekanmi urged early participation, noting that most Nigerians wait until the last week, creating congestion and pressure on staff and equipment.
“Adequate arrangements have been made… We urge Nigerians to register early to avoid last-minute rush,” he said.
Political Parties Join the Push
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has pledged to mobilise citizens and strengthen public engagement during the registration exercise.
IPAC Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, praised INEC’s gradual integration of Artificial Intelligence in election management and urged for increased funding to support parties’ mobilisation efforts.
“The success and integrity of any election starts with efficient voter registration,” he said.
“There’s a direct correlation between voter registration and voter turnout.”
Dantalle noted that IPAC recently presented a Political Party Performance Index (PPPI) and discussed voter apathy and inclusivity at a Westminster Foundation for Democracy event.
Labour Party Raises Concerns
While the Labour Party acknowledged the importance of CVR, its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, expressed distrust in the current INEC leadership, citing rising post-election litigations.
“What’s the essence of CVR when votes are sometimes overlooked for a preferred candidate?” Ifoh asked.
He criticised the inconsistent use of election technology, questioning the abandonment of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) despite its heavy cost to the nation.
Key Demands from Stakeholders
- More registration centres beyond LGA offices
- Remote biometric capture via smartphones or online platforms
- Audit and cleanup of voter register
- Review of the Electoral Act 2022 to eliminate physical appearance mandate
- Deployment of mobile registration units to reach rural and marginalised communities
- User-friendly digital tools for scheduling, verification, and feedback
- Sustained voter education and mobilisation from political parties
- Return of party grants to support mobilisation efforts
As Nigeria prepares for pivotal elections in 2025 and beyond, stakeholders insist the CVR must go beyond symbolic efforts to become a truly people-centred, technology-driven, and inclusive democratic process.
“We cannot continue doing the same things the same way and expect different results,” Udoenoh concluded.
“Technology must be the bridge that connects Nigerians to their democratic rights.”
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