The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced its readiness to resume Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) across the country and conduct all outstanding by-elections. This development was revealed by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly meeting with leaders of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja.
Yakubu shared that the commission met earlier in the week and is finalising plans for both the voter registration and the by-elections. Full details, he said, will be made public within 24 hours. He called on CSOs for their continued support, especially in voter education and mobilisation efforts.
In addition, Professor Yakubu provided updates on INEC’s preparations for the upcoming Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, which will take place on February 21, 2026. He urged the CSOs to monitor these processes closely and to apply early for observer accreditation to avoid delays in processing.
Responding on behalf of the CSOs, Faith Nwadishi, Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, appreciated INEC’s recent reforms and innovation, especially the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) unit within the commission. She described the move as a step in the right direction.
Nwadishi also used the opportunity to call on the National Assembly to speed up the amendment of the Electoral Act, noting that it would be crucial to conclude those reforms well ahead of the 2027 general elections. She emphasized the importance of involving CSOs more deeply in voter awareness efforts, particularly during the CVR exercise.
She further appealed to INEC to extend deadlines for CSO observer accreditation, giving groups enough time to apply and prepare for election monitoring across the country.
With the stage set for both voter registration and pending elections, all eyes will be on INEC to deliver on its promises while ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and readiness ahead of 2027.
