The Young Progressive Party (YPP) has made a strong appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. This request comes as many eligible Nigerians have yet to register, raising concerns about their participation in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Sunday, the YPP expressed fears that the closure of the registration process could disenfranchise a significant number of Nigerians, particularly young voters who have not completed their registration. The statement was jointly signed by Abraham Adedotun, the YPP FCT Chapter Chairman, and Blessing Benyeogor, the party’s FCT senatorial candidate.

The party highlighted that their demand for an extension aligns with concerns voiced by various political actors and civil society organizations regarding access to voter registration. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that no eligible citizen is excluded from the electoral process. The YPP stated, "As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, it is important that no eligible Nigerian is left out of the electoral process."

The YPP's call for action comes in light of INEC’s previous announcements regarding the CVR schedule. Initially, the registration was set to run until August 30, 2026, but the timetable was revised, leading to an earlier operational deadline. INEC later extended the final phase to July 26, 2026, after which the commission announced that the registration would close, urging eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the remaining time.

Despite the urgency expressed by the YPP, INEC has ruled out any further extensions, citing that additional delays could hinder their preparations for the 2027 elections. The commission had introduced a self-service online registration option during the final phase, allowing first-time voters to complete their registration electronically.

In light of these developments, the YPP reiterated its call for INEC to reconsider the closure of the registration exercise. They argued that providing another opportunity for eligible citizens to register is crucial to promoting broader participation and enhancing public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. The party remains committed to ensuring that all eligible Nigerians can exercise their right to vote in the forthcoming elections.