Charles Esther
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has moved Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) centres from offices in four local government areas (LGAs) of Borno State to Maiduguri, the state capital.
This decision was made due to security and safety concerns, according to the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Borno, Abubakar Ahmad, during a press briefing on Thursday.
Affected LGAs and New Locations
The four LGAs affected are Abadam, Guzamala, Kala-Balge, and Marte.
The new registration locations in Maiduguri metropolis are:
- Abadam: Baga Road
- Guzamala: Fire Service Department, 1,000 Housing Estate
- Kala-Balge: Goni Kachalari Primary School
- Marte: Kachamai
Ahmad emphasized that these changes are aimed at ensuring safety for residents and staff.
CVR Exercise Phases
The 2025–2026 CVR exercise will run in three phases from August 18, 2025, to August 30, 2026.
- Phase I: Begins August 18, 2025, with online pre-registration.
- Phase II: Starts August 25, 2025, with physical (in-person) registration, running concurrently with online registration.
The online platforms for pre-registration are:
How to Register
Prospective voters can start online registration and book appointments to complete in-person registration at any INEC state or local government office.
Physical registration will be available at state and LGA offices nationwide from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekdays, excluding public holidays.
Special provisions have been made to accommodate persons with disabilities.
Services Offered During the Exercise
The 12-month CVR exercise will provide:
- Registration for Nigerians aged 18 and above who have never registered.
- Replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
- Transfer of registration to a new polling unit.
- Collection of unclaimed PVCs from previous exercises.
- Updating of voter details for PVCs that failed verification in past elections.
Ahmad encouraged all eligible residents to participate and take advantage of the process.
