INEC Extends Voter Registration Deadline to July 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced an extension of the voter registration deadline to July 26, 2026, following appeals from political parties, civil society organizations, and the public. Zainab Aminu Abubakar, INEC's spokesperson, stated that the original registration exercise began in August 2025 and was scheduled to end on July 10, 2026.

The extension aims to provide every eligible Nigerian, especially those who have recently turned 18, the opportunity to obtain their Permanent Voter Card (PVC). Abubakar warned that anyone who fails to register by the new deadline will have to wait until the 2027 general elections to register.

INEC has introduced improvements to simplify the registration process, including an online pre-registration system that allows individuals to fill in their details using mobile phones or computers before visiting INEC offices for biometric capture. This upgrade includes the ability to capture facial photographs without necessarily visiting an INEC office.