INEC Shifts FCT Voter Registration Deadline to October 12 After High Turnout

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise at the ward level across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by four days.

The decision was reached during INEC’s Third Quarterly Meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Tuesday, where the Commission reviewed the progress of ongoing electoral activities.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of the Voter Education and Publicity Department, INEC announced that the exercise, originally scheduled to end on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, will now continue until Sunday, October 12, 2025.

The FCT ward-level registration began on September 5, 2025, and has recorded 55,346 new voter registrations as of October 7 — comprising 38,528 online pre-registrations and 16,818 physical registrations. INEC described the turnout as a reflection of rising civic participation and the success of decentralising the process to the grassroots.

INEC reiterated that the online pre-registration option in the FCT remains suspended, stressing that all pre-registered voters must complete their registration in person at designated centres to validate their records in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

The Commission urged eligible citizens who have not yet registered to take advantage of the extension and also encouraged registered voters seeking to transfer their registration within or into the FCT to do so before the new deadline.

INEC further warned against multiple registrations, describing it as a punishable offence under Nigerian law, and assured that the list and addresses of registration centres are available on its official website and social media platforms.

Meanwhile, preparations continue for the FCT Area Council Elections, scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026. Last month, INEC released the final list of candidates from 17 political parties contesting for 68 positions, including six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats across Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji area councils. Campaigns for the elections are already in progress.