The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that over 3.4 million new voters have been registered in the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise nationwide.
In its Week 13 update released on Wednesday in Abuja, the commission disclosed that a total of 3,441,121 registrations had been completed as of April 3. This figure includes both online pre-registrations and physical walk-in registrations.
According to INEC, 2,068,384 citizens completed their registration online, while 1,372,737 others registered physically at designated centres across the country.
State-by-state data revealed that Jigawa recorded the highest number of registrants with 201,047, representing 5.84 per cent of the total. Lagos followed with 181,095 registrations, while Kano ranked third with 177,681.
Youth participation remained notably high, with citizens aged between 18 and 34 accounting for 2,354,768 registrants, representing 68.43 per cent of the total.
In terms of gender distribution, more women registered than men. Female registrants accounted for 1,922,143 (55.86 per cent), while male registrants stood at 1,518,978 (44.14 per cent).
On occupational breakdown, students formed the largest group of new voters with 1,235,931 registrations (35.92 per cent). This was followed by individuals engaged in business with 701,912 registrations (20.40 per cent), and those in farming and fishing with 615,967 (18.28 per cent).
INEC also reported that 48,330 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) registered during the period.
The commission noted that the figures are provisional, explaining that they remain subject to data clean-up during the period for citizens’ claims and objections, after which the Automated Biometric Identification System will be deployed.
INEC further stated that voter registration remains suspended in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, following the Area Council elections held on February 21.
The commission urged all eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to visit its official platforms and complete their registration before the deadline.
