The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 1,379,342 Nigerians completed their online pre-registration within the first week of the nationwide voter registration exercise.

According to a statement issued on Monday, August 25, by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the online pre-registration began on Monday, August 18, and recorded impressive participation across the country.

A breakdown of the figures shows that 661,846 registrants, representing 47.96 percent, are male, while 717,856, representing 52.04 percent, are female. Young people aged 18 to 34 form the majority with 860,286 registrations, accounting for 62.37 percent of the total.

In terms of occupation, students make up the largest category with 374,534 registrants (27.15 percent). Persons with disabilities constitute 27,089 registrants (1.96 percent). INEC noted that the detailed figures by state, gender, age, occupation, and disability have been published on its official platforms for public access.

Meanwhile, in-person registration commenced nationwide on Monday in the Commission’s 811 state and local government offices. This phase will accommodate Nigerians who prefer to register physically, as well as those who began the process online and need to complete it.

INEC reiterated that the exercise is strictly for Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above who have not previously registered. It warned against double or multiple registrations, stressing that such acts violate the law. However, inter-state and intra-state voter transfers, along with replacement of lost or damaged voter cards, are allowed during the exercise.

The Commission reminded citizens that the voter registration will continue for one year, ending on August 30, 2026. It urged eligible Nigerians to register early rather than wait until the deadline, when centres typically become overcrowded and appeals for deadline extensions mount.