Lifestyle & Wellness DeskINEC Releases 2025-2026 Election Timetable, Announces Resumption of Voter Registration
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a detailed timetable of major elections scheduled for 2025 and 2026, alongside the nationwide resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement on Tuesday during the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held in Abuja.
In a statement shared on the Commission’s official X handle, INEC outlined plans for a packed electoral calendar, with several crucial elections set to take place across the country.
According to Yakubu, the timetable includes five key elections. These are:
- Bye-elections in 12 states, scheduled for August 16, 2025
- Anambra State Governorship election on November 8, 2025
- Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections on February 21, 2026
- Ekiti State Governorship election on June 20, 2026
- Osun State Governorship election on August 8, 2026
The INEC Chairman also announced the recommencement of Continuous Voter Registration nationwide. Online pre-registration will open on August 18, 2025, while physical registration will begin nationwide on August 25, 2025.
For Anambra State, ahead of its governorship election, the CVR exercise will start earlier next week and will take place simultaneously in all 326 wards to enable the compilation of a new voter register at least 90 days before the election, as required by law.
Professor Yakubu also welcomed two newly appointed National Commissioners, Professor Sunday Aja and Abdulrazak Yusuf, as well as six newly sworn-in RECs participating in the meeting for the first time.
Emphasising the vital role of Resident Electoral Commissioners, Yakubu urged them to be proactive in implementing policies and procedures rather than waiting for constant directives from the INEC headquarters.
Addressing concerns around the interpretation of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, which relates to the review of election results, the INEC Chairman revealed that the Commission is finalising a supplementary regulation and set of guidelines to clarify the process. He assured that the document would be made available to the public via INEC’s official platforms within the week.
“The work of a Commissioner is not seasonal,” Yakubu reminded the RECs. “You are expected to function effectively at all times, not just as elections approach. This requires knowledge, dedication, and a clear understanding of your responsibilities.”
The meeting, which followed extensive consultations with political parties, civil society groups, the media, and election security agencies, aimed to review key issues raised during those engagements and chart a course for improved electoral service delivery across the country.
