Over 2.5 Million Nigerians Register Online For 2027 Elections, INEC Reports.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that over 2.5 million Nigerians have completed online pre-registration for voter cards in just two weeks, signalling strong public enthusiasm ahead of the 2027 general elections. The update, shared by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, followed the commission’s weekly meeting on Tuesday.
The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which began on 18 August 2025, recorded 2,532,062 online entries by 31 August, with a gender breakdown showing 1,313,580 female registrants (51.88%) and 1,218,482 male registrants (48.12%). Notably, youths aged 18 to 34 constitute the majority, accounting for 1,602,484 registrants (63.29%), while students make up 647,528 (25.57%) of the total. Additionally, 72,274 citizens have completed in-person registration since it commenced on 25 August, with 36,652 females and 35,622 males, predominantly in the same youth age bracket.
INEC highlighted the success of its online pre-registration portal, introduced in 2021, which allows Nigerians to begin the process from anywhere in the world. However, the commission emphasised that all online pre-registrants must visit one of its 811 state and local government offices to complete the process by providing fingerprints and facial biometric details. “The online process alone is invalid without in-person completion,” Olumekun stated, urging registrants to visit designated centres, open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
The commission expressed delight at the robust response, particularly from young Nigerians, and commended civil society groups for mobilising citizens. Osun State led with 474,372 registrations, followed by Lagos with 355,372, while the South-West zone accounted for 848,359 pre-registrations, representing 67% of the national total. In contrast, the South-East recorded lower figures, with states like Ebonyi, Imo, Enugu, and Abia collectively registering just 4,153.
INEC noted that the CVR, set to run until 30 August 2026, also allows for voter transfers and replacement of lost or damaged voter cards. The commission urged eligible citizens to register early to avoid last-minute rushes, which have historically strained registration centres. Detailed statistics on registrants by state, gender, age, occupation, and disability are available on INEC’s official platforms.
The surge in registrations has sparked optimism about increased voter participation in 2027, following a record-low 26.72% turnout in the 2023 elections. As Nigeria prepares for a pivotal electoral cycle, INEC’s efforts to enhance accessibility and transparency in the voter registration process signal a commitment to strengthening democratic engagement.
