Peter Obi Urges INEC to Extend Voter Registration Window

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) window for the 2027 general elections will close on Sunday, July 26, 2026. To facilitate the final push, the commission stated that registration centers will remain open daily, including weekends, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eligible citizens may complete their registration online or visit designated local government area offices and state offices for in-person assistance.

Prior to this announcement, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, called on the commission to extend the registration period. He argued that an extension is necessary to prevent the disenfranchisement of eligible Nigerians, specifically young people who reach the voting age of 18 every day.

Obi cited a 2022 Federal High Court judgment in Anaja Salmat & 3 Others v. INEC, which ruled that voter registration should remain open until 90 days before a general election. While he acknowledged the need for INEC to clean the register and complete logistical preparations, he maintained that maximizing citizen participation is essential to strengthen the country's democracy.