The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 505,906 Nigerians have pre-registered online for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) within just five days of its commencement.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the official flag-off of the commission’s nationwide sensitisation campaign to boost voter registration. Represented by National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, Yakubu described the response as a strong signal of Nigerians’ eagerness to participate in the democratic process.

“As of midnight of August 22, 505,906 citizens had pre-registered. This impressive response shows that Nigerians believe in our democracy and the commission’s commitment to strengthening the electoral process,” he said.

To further mobilise citizens, INEC launched a roadshow that began at its headquarters in Maitama, passed through Banex Plaza, and ended at Wuse Market. Similar campaigns are planned across the country.

Yakubu explained that the CVR, which began with the online phase on August 18, 2025, will move into its physical stage on Monday, August 25, 2025. At that stage, both online pre-registrants and new applicants can complete their registration at designated INEC State and Local Government Area offices, where their biometrics will be captured.

The physical registration will take place at 811 centres nationwide, including all 774 LGAs, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, assured Nigerians of the commission’s readiness for the in-person registration.

“Our offices are ready; planning has been ongoing, which is why we allowed a week between the online and physical registration phases. From August 25, citizens will be attended to in all our offices nationwide, including the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.

Eta-Messi cautioned against multiple registrations, describing it as an electoral offence, and urged underage citizens to wait until they turn 18 before enrolling.

She further explained that the CVR will run in three phases: the first from August 18 to December 10, 2025; the second beginning in January 2026; and the third concluding on August 30, 2026.