The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise by two weeks and launched a new online self-service registration platform for first-time voters.

This is contained in a statement by the Commission on Friday.

The CVR, which began on 18th August 2025 and originally scheduled to end on Friday, 10th July 2026, will now run until Friday, 24th July 2026.

According to the statement, the extension followed a review of the exercise and feedback from INEC state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

The commission stated that the additional time is aimed at giving more eligible Nigerians who are yet to register a fair opportunity to be included in the Register of Voters ahead of future elections.

On the new self-service online registration, INEC will from Wednesday, 8th July 2026 introduce a fully online self-service registration option for eligible first-time voters.

The service, it said will be accessible via the Commission’s dedicated portal: cvr.inecnigeria.org.

According to INEC, the new system will allow eligible citizens to complete their voter registration including biometric capture  using their personal devices from anywhere, without visiting an INEC office.

The platform incorporates robust identity verification, biometric validation, and backend checks to maintain the integrity of the National Register of Voters.

“The extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable opportunity to be included in the Register of Voters,” the statement said.

INEC urged unregistered eligible citizens to take advantage of both the extended period and the new digital option.

“The Commission remains committed to a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process, and to advancing the use of technology to improve citizens’ experience in the electoral process,” it added.

‎Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ebonyi State Council, has called on politicians and political actors to embrace issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against the use of inflammatory rhetoric, character assassination, and divisive politics.

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‎The call was contained in a communiqué issued on Friday at the end of the union’s congress held at Dr. Sam Egwu Press Centre, Abakaliki, and presided over by the State Council Chairman, Comrade Samson Nwafor.

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‎The congress urged political actors to comply with electoral guidelines and focus on policies, programmes, and ideas that would promote peace and democratic development in the state.

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‎On agriculture, the union expressed concern over delays in the distribution of government farm inputs and appealed to the state government to ensure timely delivery to genuine farmers to boost food production and food security.

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‎The congress also advised residents of flood-prone communities to adhere strictly to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities and avoid blocking drainage channels to reduce the risk of flooding during the peak rainy season.

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‎The NUJ appealed to Goverror Francis Nwifuru to allocate an alternative parcel of land to enable it realize its proposed journalists’ housing estate project following the revocation of its earlier allocation at the EBSU Pocket Layout.

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‎The journalists reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, responsible journalism, and sustainable development in Ebonyi State.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Ebonyi State chapter, has said it was not part of the purported claim of backing the 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Ifeanyi Odii.

The party stated that the purported endorsement was allegedly being master-minded by sacked officials of the NDC in the state. 

Speaking to newsmen on Friday, in Abakaliki, the chairman of NDC in Ebonyi State, Hon. Enyinnaya Udensi Alum, said the party had no intention to endorse any politician other than its gubernatorial candidate.

He called on all NDC faithful in the state and supporters to steer clear from the purported endorsement, adding that the move was antithetical to the tenets and principles of the party. 

He said, “Information reaching me, Hon. Prince Alum Enyinnaya Udensi, the Ebonyi State Chairman of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is that a few former members of the party, who were sacked over financial impropriety and anti-party activities are purportedly going to endorse one of the factional governorship candidates of the PDP on behalf of the NDC tomorrow or soon after. 

“Ebonyians, NDC members and other teaming supporters of the NDC in the state should note that the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Ebonyi State has its governorship candidate, and that the party has not and will at no time endorse any other candidate of any party other than the NDC governorship candidate. 

“NDC members are hereby requested not to attend any such gathering as it amounts to anti-party activities, while the general public is asked to desist from dealing with the above named individuals as they are no longer NDC members and do not represent the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”