The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that more than eight million Nigerians have completed their online voter registration ahead of the 2027 general elections, marking a significant milestone in the commission’s efforts to expand voter participation and embrace digital transformation.
In a statement released by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the commission disclosed that the impressive figure represents a growing interest among Nigerians especially youths and first-time voters to participate in the country’s democratic process through digital platforms.
According to Olumekun, the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) portal, launched as part of INEC’s innovation to ease voter registration and verification, has seen “massive engagement across all 36 states and the FCT, with millions of applicants utilizing the platform to update or verify their registration details.”
He said, “The online registration initiative has significantly improved accessibility and transparency in the electoral process. Nigerians are taking advantage of the technology to register, update, and transfer their voter information without physical stress.”
The statement further revealed that Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, and Oyo states recorded the highest number of new online registrations, reflecting the country’s most populous areas and urban youth concentration.
INEC also confirmed that the online registration phase would be followed by physical biometric capture and verification, which would begin soon at designated centers nationwide.
“We urge all eligible Nigerians who have started their online registration to complete the process by visiting the nearest INEC office or registration center for fingerprint and facial biometric capture,” the statement added.
Observers have praised the development as a positive step toward improving electoral inclusion and reducing voter apathy. Civic organizations such as Yiaga Africa and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) commended INEC’s commitment to technology-driven elections but also called for more investment in voter education and server infrastructure to ensure data integrity.
A political analyst, Aisha Ibrahim, noted that the figure is “a promising sign of renewed civic engagement among Nigerian youths who are increasingly aware of the power of their votes.”
However, she cautioned that registration numbers must translate into actual voter turnout. “We saw similar enthusiasm in 2023, but many did not collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). INEC must focus on ensuring that all registered voters complete their registration and collect their PVCs early enough before the elections.”
INEC also reiterated its readiness to conduct credible and transparent elections in 2027, emphasizing that the commission has learned valuable lessons from the 2023 polls.
Former Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu,stated that INEC is working on upgrading its technological infrastructure and enhancing the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to prevent glitches that marred the previous election cycle.
He said, “We are committed to ensuring that the 2027 elections are the most transparent, inclusive, and technologically advanced in Nigeria’s history.”
As the Continuous Voter Registration continues, INEC is urging Nigerians at home and abroad to take advantage of the opportunity to register or verify their details, stressing that “democracy can only thrive when citizens participate actively.”
With over eight million new online registrations recorded and millions more expected before the CVR deadline, the 2027 elections could see one of the largest voter turnouts in Nigeria’s democratic history if the enthusiasm translates to the ballot box.
