3.5 Million Nigerians Join Voter Registration Surge, Says INEC

 In a remarkable show of civic engagement, over 3.5 million Nigerians have pre-registered for continuous voter registration (CVR) in just three weeks, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reports. The surge, noted by Reuters, signals robust preparations for future elections.

INEC’s online pre-registration platform, launched to streamline voter enrollment, has seen unprecedented participation, particularly from youths in urban centers like Lagos and Abuja. The commission credits the spike to heightened political awareness following the 2023 elections and ongoing economic challenges. 

Data shows the South-West leads with 848,359 pre-registrations, followed by the North-Central with 250,218. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu praised the turnout but urged citizens to complete physical verification to secure permanent voter cards (PVCs) ahead of 2027.

The surge has sparked optimism about democratic participation, though some fear logistical bottlenecks could hinder verification. For Nigeria, navigating political tensions like the Labour Party’s internal crisis, the CVR boom tests INEC’s capacity to manage a growing electorate. As registration continues, this wave of engagement could shape Nigeria’s political future, amplifying voices in a pivotal election year.