The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded 2,685,725 completed registrations during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which concluded on 10 December 2025.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced these figures on Thursday at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room’s National Stakeholders Forum on Elections held in Abuja.
He explained that the total includes 1,576,137 online registrations and 1,109,588 physical captures, with the highest turnout observed in Osun, Kaduna, Plateau, Imo, Borno, and Lagos States.
Osun topped the list with 208,357 registrations, followed by Kaduna (159,669), Plateau (152,650), Imo (145,561), Borno (123,835), and Lagos (123,484).
### INEC Chairman Calls for Stronger Consensus to Secure Nigeria’s Democracy at Situation Room Stakeholders’ Forum
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has called for a deeper national consensus, enhanced collaboration, and sustained civic engagement to secure Nigeria’s democracy. He made these remarks earlier today at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room’s 9th annual National Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja, themed “Securing Nigeria’s Democracy: Building Consensus for Credible Elections and Accountable Governance.”
In his address, Professor Amupitan described the forum as a “vital national space for meaningful dialogue,” noting that the theme underscores the shared responsibility of government institutions, civil society, and citizens in safeguarding democratic governance.
Breaking down the theme, the INEC Chairman highlighted that Nigeria’s democracy faces constant threats from misinformation, electoral malpractice, and violence. He stressed that securing the system necessitates a multi-sectoral approach.
He emphasised that credible elections form the bedrock of democracy, achievable only when political parties, the media, security agencies, civil society, and INEC collectively commit to upholding electoral rules and principles.
According to him, accountable governance naturally follows credible elections, as legitimacy empowers citizens to hold leaders to higher standards.
Professor Amupitan underscored INEC’s ongoing deployment of technology, as empowered by the Electoral Act 2022, to enhance transparency and credibility. He cited the BVAS as a “fundamental redefinition” of voter accreditation and the IReV portal as a new benchmark for public trust.
However, he acknowledged persistent challenges with telecommunications infrastructure, noting that achieving real-time result uploads across 176,000 polling units remains difficult. INEC, he stated, is collaborating closely with the NCC and exploring alternative technologies to address these gaps.
The Chairman expressed concern over declining voter participation, referencing the 27% turnout in the 2023 general elections as a warning sign. He highlighted the successful mobilisation in Anambra State—where PVC collection rose from 63.9% to 98.80% after targeted outreach—as proof that improved voter mobilisation is achievable through partnerships with civil society, community leaders, and the media.
Professor Amupitan revealed new national data from the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, stating that INEC has recorded 2,685,725 completed registrations, including 1,576,137 online pre-registrations and 1,109,588 physical captures.
Osun leads the country with 208,357 new registrations, followed by Kano (159,669), Sokoto (152,650), and Imo (145,561). Lagos and Borno also recorded over 123,000 each. With the first quarter of the CVR concluding on 10 December, he urged stakeholders to maintain public sensitisation until the final conclusion of the exercise.
The Commission is preparing for the 2026 Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled for Saturday, 21 February 2026. These elections will mark the end of the current four-year tenure of the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councillors elected in February 2022.
Professor Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s collaboration with security agencies through ICCES to combat vote-buying and voter intimidation. He stressed the role of civil society in monitoring compliance, promoting voter education, and holding political actors accountable.
The INEC Chairman reiterated that building credible elections is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to innovation, transparency, and resilience. He outlined the Commission’s plans to mitigate connectivity issues, simplify user interfaces, and strengthen digital and security infrastructure.
He concluded with a reminder that democratic leadership must focus on long-term national interest, quoting Simon Sinek: “Leadership is not about the next election; it’s about the next generation.”
