FCT: INEC devolves voter registration to ward level, suspends online pre-registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has devolved the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise to Ward level in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced in Abuja on Friday, 5th September 2025, in a press statement, that the decision is in line with the Commission’s policy ahead of major off-cycle elections, as was done before the Edo and Ondo governorship elections in 2020 and, more recently, in Anambra State.

According to him, physical (in-person) registration, which has so far been conducted at the FCT office and the six Area Council offices, will now be extended to all 62 Wards of the Territory, bringing the total number of centres to 69. The exercise will run from Monday, 29th September, to Wednesday, 8th October 2025.

Mr. Olumekun further disclosed that the online pre-registration option for the FCT will be suspended on Monday, 15th September 2025, to allow all online applicants to complete their registration in person. He stressed that online pre-registration without physical completion is invalid.

He added that voter registration in the FCT will be suspended on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, in compliance with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the process to end not later than 90 days before an election. The FCT Area Council election is scheduled for Saturday, 21st February 2026.

The INEC Commissioner noted that registration will resume after the FCT election and continue until August 2026, when the nationwide CVR will be suspended ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The IVEC Chairman disclosed that the list and addresses of the centres have been published on the Commission’s website and official platforms. He appealed to eligible citizens to seize the opportunity to register or transfer their registration, but cautioned against double or multiple registration, which he described as a punishable offense under the law.

Mr. Olumekun urged residents of the FCT to take note of the dates and locations of the devolved CVR and turn out en masse to register ahead of the deadline.

FCT: INEC devolves voter registration to ward level, suspends online pre-registration