INEC Moves Continuous Voter Registration to Ward Level in Rivers State

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Rivers State will now be conducted at the ward level, a move aimed at bringing voter registration closer to citizens and boosting grassroots participation.

The decision was disclosed in a press release on January 30, 2026, signed by Geraldine Ekelemu, Head of Voter Education and Publicity, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC Rivers State.

According to the Commission, the ward-level CVR exercise will begin on Monday, February 2, 2026, and run for 50 days on a rotational basis across all 319 wards in the state. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to expand voter access, reduce registration barriers, and ensure wider inclusion of eligible Nigerians in the democratic process.

INEC urged all citizens who have reached the age of 18 to take advantage of the exercise when it reaches their wards. The registration will also cater to voters seeking to transfer their registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), or correct errors in their voter records.

The Commission called on community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties, the media, and other stakeholders to assist in public sensitisation and ensure a peaceful, orderly registration process. INEC reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and inclusive registration exercise aimed at deepening democracy in Rivers State.