2027 Elections: Sam Amadi Criticises INEC Over Early Closure of Continuous Voter Registration

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ending the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise months before the 2027 general elections, describing the decision as unfair to many eligible Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Sunday, Amadi argued that voter registration should remain open much closer to Election Day to ensure more citizens have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

He acknowledged that INEC has introduced notable improvements in recent years but maintained that some of the commission’s operational procedures remain outdated and in need of reform.

Amadi said shutting down voter registration about seven months before an election unnecessarily excludes many young Nigerians who become eligible to vote after the registration window closes.

“Closing voter registration nearly seven months before an election is unreasonable. It prevents many young Nigerians who turn 18 before Election Day from registering to vote, effectively denying them the opportunity to participate until the next election cycle,” he said.

He proposed that the electoral commission should keep the Continuous Voter Registration exercise open until about one month before the election, arguing that such a move would make the electoral process more inclusive without disrupting election preparations.

INEC had earlier reaffirmed that the ongoing CVR exercise would officially end on Sunday, July 26, urging eligible Nigerians to use the final opportunity to register as new voters or update their voter information before the deadline.

The debate over the voter registration timeline comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, with increasing calls for reforms aimed at expanding voter participation and strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.