By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened a Mega Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Centre in Abuja to accommodate the expected increase in prospective registrants and ease pressure on registration points ahead of the 2027 polls.
Persecondnews correspondent reports that the facility, established by INEC in partnership with Yiaga Africa and supported by the European Union under the EU-SDGN II Programme, is the only Mega CVR Centre in the Federal Capital Territory and is located at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
Speaking at a media briefing to flag off the initiative, the National Commissioner supervising the FCT, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, highlighted the importance of the Mega CVR Centre as the Commission moves to improve access to voter registration in the nation’s capital.
“The establishment of this Mega Registration Centre is aimed at increasing access to registration, reducing the stress associated with accessing registration centres and ensuring that no eligible Nigerian is denied the opportunity to register due to distance or congestion,” he said.
Haruna said the registration exercise is a crucial opportunity for eligible residents and those above 18, seeking to transfer their registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards, or correct their personal details to take advantage of the exercise.
He disclosed the number of new registrations recorded across the FCT since the commencement of the third phase.
“Since the commencement of this third phase, a total of 31,835 new voter registrations have been successfully completed across the Federal Capital Territory.”
The National Commissioner highlighted INEC’s self-service registration platform, describing it as an innovation designed to make voter registration easier and more accessible for Nigerians.
“Eligible citizens can now begin and complete their voter registration online, including biometric capture. This means prospective registrants are no longer required to visit an INEC registration centre to complete the process.”
Speaking after the flag-off in an interview with Persecondnews, the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC FCT, Mr. Samuel Bassey, said the Mega CVR Centre was created to accommodate the anticipated high turnout of prospective registrants as the exercise draws closer to the deadline.
“The reason for this centre is to accommodate the anticipated high volume of prospective registrants that will turn out for this exercise.”
Bassey said more sensitisation was still needed to ensure Nigerians understand and utilise the self-service registration option introduced by the Commission.
“We need more effective voter education and sensitisation, and the media has a critical role to play in creating awareness about the self-service option adopted by the Commission,” he explained.
Also in an exclusive interview with Persecondnews, the Programme Manager at Yiaga Africa, Yetunde Bakare, said the organization supported the initiative to expand voter participation and help more eligible Nigerians complete the registration process.
“Yiaga Africa is providing support to INEC to ensure more people come out to register. This centre provides an opportunity for more prospective voters to complete their registration and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards.”
Bakare said the facility would complement existing registration points by creating more opportunities for prospective voters to complete the exercise before the deadline.
“We’re seeing people come out to register, and this centre provides an opportunity for more prospective voters to complete their registration before the close of the day’s exercise.”
One of the prospective voters, Mr. Jimoh Lasisi, who spoke with Persecondnews, described the registration process at the Mega CVR Centre as smooth and well coordinated, but urged INEC to provide clearer information on registration venues when confirming appointments.
“The process was smooth, but I think there are some lapses. When I scheduled my appointment, I chose the INEC office and only later realised I had to come to the Old Parade Ground. But here, they are well organised, there is no wasting of time, and they coordinate the process properly,” he said.
Another prospective voter, Ada Christabel, praised the ease of the registration process, saying the self-service option had made voter registration faster and more convenient.
“The process was actually very quick. It didn’t take up to 10 minutes. It’s something you can do online, so once you complete it online, you just come and confirm that you did it successfully, and that’s all.”
Persecondnews recalls that INEC had on July 3, 2026, extended the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise by two weeks, moving the deadline to July 26, 2026, and introduced the Self-Service Registration option, which became operational on July 8, 2026, to enable eligible Nigerians complete the process online.
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