The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the devolution of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to Ward level in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Disclosing this in Abuja on Friday, September 5, 2025, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Sam Olumekun, mni, in a Press Statement. He explained that the move aligns with the Commission’s policy of expanding access ahead of major off-cycle elections, a strategy earlier adopted before the Edo and Ondo governorship elections in 2020 and more recently in Anambra State.
According to him, physical (in-person) registration, which was previously limited to the FCT office and the six Area Council offices will now be extended to all 62 Wards of the Territory, bringing the total number of registration centres to 69 and effective date for exercise will run from Monday, 29th September, to Wednesday, 8th October 2025.
He also disclosed that the online pre-registration portal for the FCT will be suspended on Monday, 15th September 2025, to enable applicants to complete their registration physically, emphasizing that online pre-registration without in-person completion is invalid.
Olumekun further said that voter registration in the FCT will be suspended entirely on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which stipulates that registration must close not later than 90 days before an election. The FCT Area Council election is scheduled for Saturday, 21st February 2026.
INEC Commissioner further, assured the FCT residents that registration will resume after the FCT polls and to be continued until August 2026, when the nationwide CVR exercise will be suspended ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The IVEC Chairman confirmed that the list and addresses of the new registration centres have been published on the Commission’s official platforms. He appealed to eligible citizens to take advantage of the exercise to register or transfer their voter details. He also cautioned against double or multiple registration, which remains a punishable offense under Nigerian law.
Olumekun appealed to the residents of the FCT to mark the dates and locations of the devolved CVR exercise and turn out en masse to register before the deadline.
