BY CAROLINE AMEH
ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday reported a big start to its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with its online portal recording 26,255 hits within the first few hours of opening.
The portal, www.cvr.inecnigeria.org, enables eligible Nigerians to pre-register, update details, or transfer their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the physical registration phase scheduled to commence on August 25 at all INEC state and local government offices.
According to the Commission, the platform is open to citizens who have just turned 18, as well as those seeking to replace lost or damaged PVCs. It, however, cautioned against multiple registrations, warning that violators would face sanctions.
INEC described the opening-day response as encouraging and urged more Nigerians to take advantage of the technology-driven process.
“The surge in hits on the CVR portal underscores Nigerians’ growing commitment to the democratic process. We encourage all eligible citizens to register early and secure their right to vote,” INEC stated.
Observers recall that voter registration in Nigeria has often been fraught with long queues, logistical challenges, and cases of disenfranchisement.
First introduced before the 2023 general elections, the online CVR system was designed to reduce overcrowding at INEC offices and expand access, particularly for young and tech-savvy Nigerians