INEC Registers 3.4 Million New Voters as Youths, Women Dominate CVR Exercise Ahead 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has registered over 3.4 million new voters in the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections, with youths and women accounting for the largest share of participants.

The Commission also clarified that voter registration remains suspended in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, following the Area Council Election held on February 21.

In its Week 13 update released on the exercise, INEC stated that a total of 3,441,121 citizens had been registered as of April 3, combining both online pre-registration and physical enrolment nationwide.

According to the breakdown, 2,068,384 applicants completed their registration online, while 1,372,737 carried out physical registration at designated centres across the country.

The Commission further revealed that students constituted the largest group of registrants with 1,235,931 (35.92 per cent), followed by business operators with 701,912 (20.40 per cent), and farmers and fishermen with 615,967 (18.28 per cent).

It also disclosed that 48,330 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) participated in the exercise within the period under review.

Demographic analysis showed strong youth participation, with citizens aged 18 to 34 accounting for 2,354,768 registrants, representing 68.43 per cent of the total figure.

On gender distribution, female registrants outnumbered males, with 1,922,143 women (55.86 per cent) compared to 1,518,978 men (44.14 per cent).

At the state level, Jigawa State recorded the highest number of registrants with 201,047 (5.84 per cent), followed by Lagos State with 181,095, while Kano State came third with 177,681.

INEC noted that the figures remain provisional, pending data clean-up and verification through the Automated Biometric Identification System during the claims and objections window.

The Commission urged eligible Nigerians yet to register to take advantage of the ongoing exercise through its official registration channels, stressing the importance of early participation ahead of the polls.

Meanwhile, the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council has announced plans to mobilise a voter base of one million in the ongoing CVR exercise as part of efforts to strengthen political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group also vowed to consolidate a unified political front in the forthcoming elections, pledging to support any political party or aspirant that recognises its interests and aligns with the aspirations of the Ilorin Emirate.

Speaking in Ilorin while briefing journalists on the state of the nation, the National Coordinator of the council, Dr. Yakub Oloriegbe, said the group was targeting an additional 300,000 new voters to expand its existing base of over 700,000 registered voters in Kwara Central.

He explained that the decision followed a mid-year assessment of the CVR exercise, which he described as “steady and encouraging” across communities within the emirate.

Oloriegbe expressed optimism that the ongoing mobilisation efforts, combined with the upcoming phase of the CVR, would help the emirate achieve its target of about one million registered voters.

He added that the council had intensified grassroots sensitisation campaigns in collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, artisans, transport unions, and market associations to boost participation.

According to him, the group is also working with INEC to enhance voter education and encourage more eligible residents to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

He commended stakeholders for their commitment to the process and urged sustained mobilisation as the registration exercise progresses.

On the political direction of the emirate ahead of 2027, Oloriegbe stressed the need for unity, stating that the region would collectively support any platform that recognises its importance and reflects its interests.

He added that mobilisation would continue at the grassroots level to ensure strong voter turnout, while warning against any attempt to undermine the political relevance of Kwara Central Senatorial District.