Political analyst Sam Amadi criticizes the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ending the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) well in advance of the 2027 general elections. In a Sunday interview on Arise Television, Amadi argues that voter registration should stay open until at least one month before Election Day to allow wider participation, especially for young Nigerians who may turn 18 closer to the election. He says closing registration nearly seven months before the election is “unreasonable” because it can prevent newly eligible voters from registering and effectively delay their ability to vote until the next electoral cycle.
Amadi also acknowledges INEC’s improvements in recent years but maintains that current processes still limit democratic inclusion. His comments align with calls from pro-democracy groups asking INEC to extend registration closer to constitutional timelines to reduce the risk of disenfranchising first-time registrants. INEC has confirmed that the ongoing CVR ends on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and urges eligible citizens to register or update their details before the deadline.
