If you are not yet on Nigeria’s voter register, you have until August 17, 2026 to fix that. After that date, your chance to vote in the 2027 general elections is gone.
The Independent National Electoral Commission opened the latest phase of its Continuous Voter Registration exercise on August 18, 2025. The exercise has been running quietly for months, but with the deadline now less than three months away, INEC is urging eligible Nigerians not to leave it to the last minute.
Here is everything you need to know.
Who can register
The exercise is open to any Nigerian aged 18 and above who has never registered before. It also covers those who have moved and need to transfer their voting location, and anyone whose Permanent Voter Card has been lost, damaged or defaced. If your personal details on the register are incorrect, this is also the window to get them updated.
How it works
Registration happens in two stages. The first is an online pre-registration through INEC’s portal, where you provide your personal details. The second requires a physical visit to an INEC registration centre for biometric capture, including fingerprints and a photograph. Online pre-registration alone does not complete the process. You must show up in person.
What it costs
Nothing. Registration is completely free. INEC has warned Nigerians to report any official or individual demanding payment for the service.
What happens after
Once your registration is verified and the voter register is updated, you will be able to collect your Permanent Voter Card. Only registered voters with valid PVCs will be eligible to cast their ballots in the 2027 elections. There is no alternative route to voting. No PVC, no vote.
Why it matters now
INEC has repeatedly warned that late rushes result in overcrowding at registration centres and unnecessary delays. The August 17 deadline is firm. Anyone who misses it will have to wait for another registration window, which may not open before the 2027 polls.
Political activity is already building across the country. The decisions made in 2027 will affect every Nigerian regardless of whether they vote. Registering ensures you have a say in those decisions.
