2027 Election: YPP Urges INEC to Extend Voter Registration Deadline

The Young Progressive Party (YPP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reopen and extend the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, warning that many eligible Nigerians could be disenfranchised ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The call was made in a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by the YPP FCT Chapter Chairman, Abraham Adedotun, and the party’s FCT senatorial candidate, Blessing Benyeogor.

The party expressed concern that the closure of the registration exercise could prevent eligible citizens, particularly young Nigerians, from participating in the 2027 elections.

“The closure of the registration exercise could disenfranchise many Nigerians, particularly young people who had not yet completed the registration process,” the party said.

According to the YPP, its position followed concerns raised by political actors and civil society organisations over access to voter registration and the need to ensure that eligible citizens are not excluded from the electoral process.

The party urged INEC to consider the concerns of Nigerians who were unable to register or complete the process and provide another opportunity for them to be captured on the voters’ register.

“As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, it is important that no eligible Nigerian is left out of the electoral process,” the party said.

The YPP also called on INEC to maintain its neutrality as the electoral umpire and take steps to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and democracy.

It argued that extending the registration exercise would promote wider participation and increase citizens’ confidence in the electoral system.

INEC had initially scheduled the 2025–2026 CVR exercise to run until August 30, 2026, but later revised its timetable and set an earlier operational deadline. The commission subsequently announced on July 26 that the exercise had closed.

INEC had urged eligible Nigerians who were yet to register to use the remaining time before the deadline and later ruled out another extension, citing the need to focus on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The commission also introduced a self-service online registration option during the final phase of the exercise, enabling eligible first-time voters to complete the registration process electronically.

Despite INEC’s position, the YPP urged the commission to reconsider the closure and create another opportunity for eligible Nigerians who were unable to register or complete the process.

The party reiterated that keeping the registration window closed could leave a significant number of eligible citizens, especially young people, unable to participate in the 2027 elections.