By Sam Otuonye
As part of its bold and unwavering commitment to expanding access to voter registration and strengthening participatory democracy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has on Monday, July 13, flagged off a Mega Centre for Continuous Voter Registration for the residents of the FCT.
The Centre, which was established at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, was initiated by INEC in partnership with Yiaga Africa and support from the European Union under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) Programme, would operate from 13th to 26th July, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily.
Recall that INEC had suspended voter registration exercise in the FCT in October 2025 to facilitate preparations for the February 2026 FCT Area Council election.
Addressing the media, National Commissioner supervising the FCT, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed that a total of 31,835 new voter registrations have been successfully completed across the Federal Capital Territory since the commencement of the third phase of registration, consequently marking the final opportunity for eligible residents to register or update their voter records ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Mallam Haruna noted that the essence of establishing the Mega Registration Centre include:
*Increasing access to registration for citizens in the FCT, given the high volume of eligible voters
*Reducing the stress associated with accessing registration centres
*Accommodating the expected increase in the number of prospective registrants
*Ensuring that no eligible Nigerian is denied the opportunity to register due to distance or congestion.
He stated that the initiative reflected institutional determination to make the registration process more accessible, efficient, and citizen-friendly, encouraging eligible Nigerians in the FCT who have attained the age of eighteen years, as well as those who need to transfer their registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards, or correct their personal details, to take advantage of the ongoing 3rd and final phase of the exercise.
He highlighted the recently launched technologically driven Self Service CVR innovation by INEC, that would enable eligible citizens to begin and complete their voter registration online, including biometric capture, to make registration convenient, faster, and more accessible no matter one’s social, physical and locational conditions.
He noted: “This innovation is expected to
- Leverage technology to make CVR seamless and appealing to citizens
- Minimize overcrowding at registration centres
- Improve service delivery
- Make registration easier for millions of Nigerians, particularly young people, students, persons with disabilities, workers with demanding schedules, and citizens residing in remote locations.”
Haruna urged civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, youth groups, educational institutions, community-based organisations, and the media to support the exercise by creating awareness and encouraging eligible citizens to register, even as he expressed appreciation of the Commission to Yiaga Africa and the European Union, for the partnership and staying the course of democracy in Nigeria country.
Program manager Yiaga Africa, Yetunde Bakare, speaking on the Mega CVR Centre initiative, reflected on the challenges registrants used to encounter, noting that Centre has provided opportunity for more people to register.
