Understanding Continuous Voter Registration for Anambra’s 2025 Gubernatorial ElectionIn

By Daniel Otera

preparation for the Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for November 8, 2025, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) launched a targeted Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. This initiative, crucial for ensuring high voter participation, aimed to facilitate new registrations, updates to voter information, and transfers of existing registrations. The CVR process in Anambra commenced on July 8, 2025, and concluded on July 20, 2025, after a three-day extension from the original end date of July 17, 2025. During this period, INEC successfully registered 168,187 new voters.

A total of 326 designated registration centers were established across the state to accommodate voters. These centers provided services such as new voter registrations, updates to personal information, transfers of voter registration to new polling units within or outside Anambra, and replacements for lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). INEC also offered a Voter Verification Service through its official portal. This service enabled registered voters to confirm their registration status, check their polling unit, and locate PVC collection centers. For those who had registered, the verification process ensured that all details were accurate, and voters were aware of where to pick up their PVCs in time for the election.

At its core, the Continuous Voter Registration is a mechanism designed by INEC to keep Nigeria’s voter register dynamic and inclusive. Introduced under the Electoral Act 2022, this ongoing process allows eligible citizens to register as voters, transfer their voting locations, update personal details, or replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs). Unlike the periodic mass registrations of the past, the CVR operates on a rolling basis, making it easier for Nigerians to engage with the electoral system without waiting for major election cycles.

For states like Anambra, which conduct off-cycle elections—meaning their electoral schedules do not align with the national general elections every four years—the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process is tailored to accommodate these unique timelines. Anambra’s last gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2021, and the next election is scheduled for November 8, 2025. In preparation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has adjusted the CVR schedule to ensure eligible voters have ample opportunity to register, update their details, or replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

INEC has set the voter registration period in Anambra from July 8 to December 10, 2025, with 326 designated registration centers across the state. This approach reflects how federal electoral laws are adapted to meet the needs of states with off-cycle elections while maintaining national standards. For more information about the registration centers and to find out where you can register, visit INEC’s official registration center list for Anambra.

To streamline the process, INEC encourages citizens to pre-register online through the INEC CVR portal. The online pre-registration process started on August 25, 2025, and individuals will need to complete their registration by visiting a designated center for biometric data capture. This specialized approach for Anambra’s elections showcases how INEC adapts federal electoral laws to regional requirements while ensuring consistent and inclusive voter participation across Nigeria.

One of the most pivotal aspects of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) for Anambra is its separation from the nationwide exercise that began on August 18, 2025. This nationwide CVR, which started with online pre-registrations and transitioned to in-person registrations at INEC offices across the country on August 25, 2025, is primarily aimed at preparing for the 2027 general elections. By August 25, 2025, INEC had already recorded over 1.3 million new registrations nationwide, underscoring the scale and success of this exercise in expanding voter rolls (INEC News).

However, Anambra was notably excluded from this nationwide portal, not due to arbitrary decisions, but in strict adherence to the legal requirements outlined in Section 9(5) of the Electoral Act 2022. This provision mandates that voter registration must be suspended at least 90 days before an election to finalize the voter register. This “90-day rule” is essential to ensure the accuracy and cleanliness of the voter register before it is made available for public scrutiny. For Anambra’s November 8, 2025 gubernatorial election, this meant the CVR window had to close by early August 2025, prompting INEC to conduct a state-specific exercise earlier in the year.

INEC officially announced the Anambra CVR on July 3, 2025, with the registration process running from July 8 to 20, 2025. The exercise took place across all 326 wards in the state, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., including weekends, to maximize accessibility. Importantly, this CVR exercise was exclusive to the gubernatorial election and was not linked to any concurrent bye-elections, such as those held in Anambra South Senatorial District on August 16, 2025.

The results of Anambra’s CVR were impressive, with 168,187 new voters registered during the 13-day period, marking the highest two-week turnout for a registration exercise in the state since 2017. The final tally also included 5,983 valid applications for voter transfers into the state, bringing the total new entries to 146,353. As  of the conclusion of the exercise, Anambra had a total of 2,802,790 eligible voters, an increase from the previous 2,656,437 registered voters.

During the 2025 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Anambra State, INEC reported a high level of participation across various demographics. The CVR process, which took place between July 8 and July 20, 2025, was extended by three days due to overwhelming public demand and logistical considerations. While specific data on the breakdown of registrants such as the number of women, youth, voter transfers, and PVC replacements has not been officially disclosed by INEC, observers from the CDD-West Africa noted a significant turnout from all segments of the population, with an enthusiastic civic engagement across the 21 local government areas of the state.

The exercise facilitated first-time voter registrations, updates to voter information, transfers of voter registration, and replacements of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). INEC’s efforts to decentralize the registration process to all 326 wards in Anambra State were praised for enhancing accessibility and inclusivity, providing more opportunities for citizens to engage in the electoral process. As a result of the CVR exercise, Anambra’s total registered voters increased from approximately 2.64 million in 2021 to an estimated 2.8 million, forming a solid voter base for the upcoming gubernatorial election set for November 8, 2025.

Following the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, INEC employed the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to scrub the voter register of duplicates and irregularities. This system identified and removed approximately 1.1 million invalid registrations during the 2021 CVR, which represented about 45% of the total registrations during that period (INEC News).

To ensure transparency, INEC displayed the preliminary voter register to the public from July 26 to August 1, 2025, as mandated by Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022. This period allowed citizens to challenge any inaccuracies or discrepancies in the register, reinforcing public trust and confidence in the system. This step was essential for upholding the integrity of the voter roll and ensuring accuracy before the final register was published (INEC).

The legal framework governing voter registration and the electoral process in Nigeria draws heavily from the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Specifically, Section 153(1)(f) of the Constitution establishes INEC as an independent body responsible for organizing elections and maintaining the voter register.

Furthermore, Section 10 of the Electoral Act 2022 stipulates the eligibility criteria for voter registration: any Nigerian citizen aged 18 or above, who is not disqualified by law, is eligible to register. The Act further emphasizes the use of technology to enhance the registration process and reduce fraud risks.

A significant technological advancement included in the Electoral Act is the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in 2022. BVAS combines fingerprint and facial recognition technology to authenticate voters at polling stations, significantly reducing the risk of voter impersonation and improving the credibility of the voting process.

As the election approaches, it remains crucial for all eligible voters in Anambra to verify their voter status and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). INEC has extended PVC collection until September 30, 2025, and encourages those who missed the registration window to update their information as required. In collaboration with civil society organizations like Yiaga Africa and TAF Africa, ongoing efforts to educate and mobilize voters will be pivotal in achieving a high voter turnout and ensuring a transparent, credible election.

For individuals who missed the CVR window, it’s important to note that while new registrations are closed for the 2025 Anambra election, updates to existing voter information and collection of unclaimed PVCs remain possible.

This flexibility is crucial in a state where voter turnout has historically been low, often due to factors such as insecurity, misinformation, or apathy.