INEC to resume nationwide voter registration February 2025

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to resume nationwide continuous voter registration (CVR) in the first quarter of 2025.

According to a memo dated November 20, 2024, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC’s Secretary, directed resident electoral commissioners to begin preparations for the exercise.

The voter registration will initially take place at the local government area (LGA) level before expanding to registration areas (RAs). The memo detailed necessary steps for readiness, including an assessment of the status of INEC Voter Enrolment Devices (IVED), printers, and CVR forms and materials.

“The commission is considering commencing the exercise at Local Government Area (LGA) level and later devolving to Registration Area (RA) level,” the memo stated.

INEC also asked its state offices to identify and select staff to serve as voter registration officials and prepare information on uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to facilitate the display of the Register of uncollected PVCs during the exercise.

The nationwide CVR exercise has been suspended since July 2022, ahead of the 2023 general election. However, voter registration activities have continued in states with off-cycle elections.