CVR: Civil, Public Servants Record Lowest Turnout as over 1.3m Nigerians Pre-register in One Week

CVR: Civil, Public Servants Record Lowest Turnout as over 1.3m Nigerians Pre-register in One Week

•In-Person Registration Negins on Monday Nationwide

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that over 1.3 million Nigerians have pre-registered online within one week of its nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with students leading the numbers while civil and public servants recorded the lowest turnout.

In a statement signed on Monday by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the Commission confirmed that as at Sunday 24th August 2025, a total of 1,379,342 Nigerians registered nationwide in just one week.

Olumekun explained that while students topped the chart with 374,534 registrants (27.15%), civil and public servants came last with 40,727 (2.95%) and 21,975 (1.59%) respectively.

“The breakdown of the online pre-registrations shows that while students take the lead, public and civil servants recorded the lowest turnout,” he said.

Other categories include Business: 342,363 (24.82%), Trading: 161,137 (11.68%), Artisan: 139,643 (10.12%), Farming/Fishing: 127,329 (9.23%), Housewives: 77,556 (5.62%), Others: 94,078 (6.82%).

On gender and age, Olumekun noted: “661,846 (47.96%) are male and 717,856 (52.04%) are female. Young people between the ages of 18 and 34 constitute the majority of the registrants with 860,286 (62.37%).”

Other categories are: Old people (70+): 20,120 (1.46%), Elderly people (50-49): 157,342(11.41%); Middle Aged (35-49): 341,594(24.76%); Youth(18-34): 860,286(62.37%)

Persons with disabilities were also captured in the update.

“The figure for persons with disability is 27,089 (1.96%),” the statement added.

Meanwhile, INEC announced that physical registration commenced on Monday across its 811 state and local government offices nationwide.

“This will afford those who prefer the in-person option to register at the centres and those who chose the online pre-registration method to complete their registration,” Olumekun explained.

The Commission warned against double or multiple registrations.

“The ongoing voter registration is only open to Nigerian citizens who are at least 18 years old and who are not registered voters. Double or multiple registration is a violation of the law.

“However, inter-State/FCT and intra-State/FCT transfer of voters as well as the replacement of lost or damaged voters cards are allowed during the CVR,” Olumekun stated.

INEC therefore urged eligible Nigerians to register early.

“The exercise will continue for one year until 30th August 2026. However, the Commission urged all intending registrants not to wait until the deadline approaches when, from experience, the registration centres are inundated by eleventh hour registrants amidst appeals for extension of time,” the statement said.