The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted four Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) centres from their original locations in Borno State’s Abadam, Guzamala, Kala-Balge, and Marte local government areas to Maiduguri metropolis, citing security and safety concerns.
Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner Abubakar Ahmad announced the decision on Thursday during a press briefing in Maiduguri, marking the official start of the 2025–2026 CVR exercise.
According to Ahmad, the Abadam CVR centre has been moved to Baga Road, Guzamala’s to the Fire Service Department at the 1,000 Housing Estate, Kala-Balge’s to Goni Kachalari Primary School, and Marte’s to Kachamai—all within Maiduguri.
“For security and factors relating to safety, four INEC LGAs offices will conduct the physical (in-person) registration at locations in the Maiduguri Metropolis. The LGAs affected are Abadam, Guzamala, Kala-Balge, and Marte,” Ahmad stated.
The registration will unfold in three phases over a year, from August 18, 2025, to August 30, 2026. Phase One will begin on August 18, 2025, with online pre-registration, which will run alongside physical registration starting August 25, 2025. Both methods will continue concurrently thereafter.
Ahmad said prospective registrants could begin their registration online at [www.cvr.inec.gov.ng](http://www.cvr.inec.gov.ng) or [www.cvr.inecnigeria.org](http://www.cvr.inecnigeria.org) and book appointments to finalize the process in person at any INEC state or local government office in Borno.
The physical registration, beginning August 25, will take place at state INEC offices and LGA offices from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, excluding public holidays.
Special arrangements are in place for persons with disabilities to ensure their full participation in the exercise.
Services available during the 12-month CVR period will include the registration of Nigerians aged 18 and above who have never registered, replacement of lost, defaced, or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), transfer of registration details to a new polling unit for relocated voters, collection of unclaimed PVCs from past exercises, and updating of voter details for cards that failed verification during the last election.
What You Should Know
INEC’s relocation of four Borno State CVR centres to Maiduguri is a security-driven measure intended to protect voters and staff.
The 2025–2026 registration will run for a year, combining online and in-person processes, with services covering new registrations, PVC replacements, transfers, collections, and updates.
Special provisions will be available for persons with disabilities, and the exercise will be conducted nationwide during weekday working hours.
