Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Abubakar Ahmad Ma'aji, addressing the press on Thursday in Maiduguri
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Abubakar Ahmad Ma’aji, announced on Thursday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will commence the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) on Monday, August 18, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference held at the INEC Conference Hall in Maiduguri, Ma’aji emphasized the critical role of voter registration in democratic elections, stating, “Registration of voters is at the heart of democratic elections.”
Ma’aji highlighted that the CVR, a cornerstone of INEC’s preparations for upcoming elections, will be conducted in three phases to ensure a comprehensive and accessible process.
“This briefing is to bring to the attention of the press, and eventually the general public, that the Independent National Electoral Commission will be conducting the 2025-2026 Continuous Registration exercise, and this exercise shall be in three phases,” he said.
The phases are as follows:
– Phase I: Registration from August 18 to December 10, 2025, with the display of the voter register from December 15 to December 21, 2025.
– Phase II: Registration from January 5 to April 17, 2026, with the display of the register from April 20 to April 26, 2026.
– Phase III: Registration from May 4 to August 17, 2026, with the display of the register from August 24 to August 30, 2026.
Ma’aji further explained that Phase I will begin with online pre-registration on August 18, 2025, followed by concurrent physical (in-person) registration starting August 25, 2025.
“The physical (in-person) registration shall be conducted in all INEC State and LGA offices nationwide from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays, except public holidays,” he noted. Online pre-registration, available at www.inecnigeria.org, allows prospective registrants to book appointments for in-person registration at LGA offices across the state.
The REC also revealed that 66,372 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain in INEC’s possession in Borno State since the 2023 general elections.
He assured that the CVR will include biometric data and fingerprint verification during the display of voter registers for claims and objections.
For security reasons, physical registration in four Local Government Areas (LGAs)—Abadam, Guzamala, Kala Balge, and Marte—will take place at designated locations within Maiduguri Metropolis.
“Information on the location of INEC State and LGA offices where the physical registration will be conducted is available on INEC’s website, www.inecnigeria.org,” Ma’aji added.
Expressing gratitude to the media, Ma’aji reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparency, stating, “The commission shall continue to keep the media and indeed all Nigerians informed of all its activities.”
