… Enrols 31,835 New Voters in Abuja
By Oloye Ray
For months, many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) worried that they might miss the opportunity to register as voters or update their records ahead of the 2027 general election. Long queues, limited registration points and the suspension of the exercise in 2025 had left many frustrated.
On Monday, those worries gave way to renewed hope as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially opened a Mega Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Centre at the Old Parade Ground in Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
The atmosphere at the venue reflected a sense of excitement as young people, workers, students and elderly residents turned up to take advantage of what many described as a more convenient registration process.
The initiative, launched in partnership with Yiaga Africa and supported by the European Union under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) Programme, will run from July 13 to July 26, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily.
For first-time voters, especially youths who recently turned 18, the centre represents more than a registration point—it is an opportunity to have a voice in deciding Nigeria’s future.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the National Commissioner supervising the FCT, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, revealed that 31,835 new voters have already been successfully registered since the third phase of the Continuous Voter Registration commenced.
He described the current exercise as the final opportunity for eligible residents to register or update their voter information before preparations for the 2027 general election enter a new phase.
Haruna explained that the Mega Registration Centre was created to address the growing demand for voter registration in the nation’s capital.
According to him, the centre will reduce the burden of travelling long distances, ease congestion at existing registration centres and ensure that no eligible Nigerian is denied the chance to register because of overcrowding or accessibility challenges.
Beyond the physical registration centre, INEC also unveiled its technology-driven Self-Service CVR platform, designed to make voter registration simpler and more accessible.
The innovation allows eligible Nigerians to begin and complete the registration process online, including biometric capture, making it easier for busy workers, students, persons with disabilities and people living in remote communities to register without unnecessary stress.
Haruna said the digital platform reflects INEC’s determination to embrace technology in improving service delivery and making voter registration more inclusive.
He appealed to civil society organisations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, educational institutions, youth groups and the media to help spread awareness so that every eligible Nigerian can take advantage of the exercise.
The commissioner also expressed appreciation to Yiaga Africa and the European Union for supporting initiatives aimed at deepening democratic participation in Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Yiaga Africa Programme Manager, Yetunde Bakare, recalled the frustrations many citizens experienced during previous voter registration exercises, where overcrowding and limited facilities discouraged prospective voters.
She said the establishment of the Mega CVR Centre is expected to significantly improve the registration experience by creating more space and making the process faster and more accessible.
For many residents leaving the registration centre on Monday, the exercise was more than a routine civic activity. It represented inclusion, accessibility and another chance to participate in shaping the country’s democratic future.
With over 31,000 new voters already captured and registration continuing over the next two weeks, INEC hopes that many more eligible Nigerians in the FCT will seize the opportunity to secure their place in the nation’s electoral process before the window closes.
