By David Oluwatosin
Nigeria’s National Register of Voters has surpassed 103 million, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced, as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the latest figure on Monday at a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the commission in Abuja. The commission also confirmed that nationwide collection of newly processed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will commence on October 9.
Amupitan said the increase followed the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise conducted under the Electoral Act 2026 and the subsequent biometric verification and clean-up of the register.
The three phases produced 10,772,421 new registrations, although the figure was subject to final verification through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
The first phase, conducted between August 25 and December 10, 2025, recorded 2,611,266 registrations, while the second phase, which ran from January 5 to April 17, 2026, added 4,121,835.
The third phase, conducted between May 11 and July 26, 2026, produced a further 3,867,997 registrations. INEC had previously confirmed the aggregate figure and said the new registrations would undergo biometric verification.
Amupitan said the commission had completed the public display of the Preliminary Register for claims and objections and concluded the final ABIS clean-up.
“Following the conclusion of our three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which captured over 10.6 million new applicants, and the completion of the public display of the Preliminary Register for claims and objections, our Voter Register Department has completed the final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup.
“Nigeria’s National Register of Voters is now more than 103 million,” he said.
With the register now exceeding 103 million voters, INEC said nationwide collection of newly processed PVCs would commence on October 9.
The cards are expected to cover voters who recently registered, transferred their voting locations or applied for replacement of damaged cards.
Amupitan said the commission had completed the processing and distribution of Phase 1 PVCs to all local government centres.
He urged registered voters to collect their cards promptly and appealed to media organisations and editors to educate citizens on collection points.
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INEC’s online portal currently allows registered voters to check their PVC status and collection centre.
The commission said it had introduced technology-driven measures aimed at reducing barriers to voter registration and preventing eligible voters from being disenfranchised.
During the third phase of the CVR, INEC introduced an online registration portal to reduce the challenges associated with distance and time for prospective voters.
The commission also introduced printable PVCs under Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 as part of efforts to reduce delays in obtaining voter cards.
Amupitan cited the theft of PVCs in some wards during the Osun governorship election, saying technology was deployed to replace affected cards and enable registered voters to participate.
He also said downloadable PVCs were deployed as part of the measures to ensure affected voters could exercise their franchise.
The latest voter-register figure represents a significant development in INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the commission also working to strengthen its technological and logistical capacity.
INEC has said it acquired 57,000 additional BVAS devices as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
Amupitan assured Nigerians that the commission would continue to deploy measures aimed at ensuring that eligible citizens are not excluded from the electoral process.
The commission’s official platforms also provide voter services, including PVC status checks and polling-unit information, as preparations for the 2027 polls continue.
