The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that continuous voter registration in the Federal Capital Territory will now take place at the ward level, while the online pre-registration platform will be suspended.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, INEC said the move is part of its preparations for upcoming off-cycle elections.
“The Commission has approved the devolution of the ongoing voter registration to ward level in the Federal Capital Territory. This is consistent with what was done before the Edo and Ondo governorship elections last year and more recently in Anambra State,” Olumekun explained.
According to the Commission, the exercise will run from Monday, 29th September 2025, to Wednesday, 8th October 2025, across all 62 wards of the FCT, in addition to the existing seven centres—bringing the total to 69 registration points.
However, INEC clarified that the online pre-registration option will be suspended from 15th September 2025.
“This suspension is to allow pre-registrants to complete their registration physically, as online registration alone is not valid,” the statement read.
The electoral body further cited Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires voter registration to stop at least 90 days before any election.
“The voter registration in the FCT will therefore close on 8th October 2025,” Olumekun emphasized.
The next FCT Area Council elections are scheduled for 21st February 2026. INEC also disclosed that the registration exercise will resume after the polls and continue until August 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Commission urged residents of the capital territory to take advantage of the ward-level exercise.
“We appeal to all eligible citizens who are not yet registered to seize this opportunity. Those already registered may also transfer their registration to any part of the FCT they prefer,” Olumekun said.
He cautioned against double registration, warning that it remains a punishable electoral offence.
INEC noted that the list and addresses of all 69 registration centres have been published on its website and social media platforms for easy access.
“The public is invited to take note of the dates and locations of the devolved CVR and turn out en masse to register ahead of the deadline,” the statement concluded.