INEC Warns of 'Security Risks' as Voter Registration Stalls in 4 Borno LGAs, Shares New Plan
- Security challenges in four Borno LGAs have caused the continuous voter registration exercise to be postponed
- Temporary registration points in another location have been designated for residents of Abadam, Guzamala, Kala-Balge, and Marte, according to the state REC
- The CVR timetable has also been divided into three stages, and public participation has been strongly encouraged
Borno state, Nigeria - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that security concerns have made it impossible to carry out the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration Portal (CVR) in four local government areas of Borno state.
Source: Twitter
The commission identified the councils as Abadam, Guzamala, Kala-Balge, and Marte.
Borno state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Abubakar Ahmed Ma’aji, made the announcement during a media briefing in Maiduguri on Friday, August 15, as disclosed by Daily Trust.
He explained that the prevailing insecurity in those areas posed risks to both electoral officials and the public, making it unsafe to operate from their usual registration offices.
Ma’aji disclosed that the affected communities will instead be served at temporary registration points in Maiduguri. Residents of Abadam will be registered at Yerwa Peace along Baga Road, while those from Guzamala are to use the Fire Service Department at the 1,000 Housing Estate. Voters from Kala-Balge will be attended to at Goni Kachallari Primary School on Mafa Road, and Marte residents will register at Kachamari, located opposite Shettiram Filling Station on Gamboru-Ngala Road.
INEC sets new timeline for voter registration
The CVR, he said, will take place in three stages. The first stage will run from August 28 to December 10, 2025, with a display of the voters’ register scheduled for December 15 to 21, 2025.
The second stage will begin on January 5 and end on April 17, 2026, followed by the register display from April 20 to 26, 2026.
The third and final stage will hold from May 4 to August 17, 2026, with the register displayed from August 24 to 30, 2026.
Source: Twitter
Calling the exercise an important civic responsibility, the REC encouraged eligible residents to participate actively, whether to register for the first time, transfer their details, make corrections, or replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
He urged the media to continue raising public awareness about the process and pledged that INEC would provide timely updates throughout the exercise.
INEC withholds recognition of ADC leadership
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not recognised the interim leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark due to missing signature specimens in the party’s notification.
The ADC’s National Executive Committee had appointed 44 new officers, including Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, and formally notified INEC. However, the commission still lists Ralph Nwosu, Sai’d Baba Abdullahi, and Cavin Alagoa as the party’s national officers.
An INEC source explained the delay stems from procedural lapses, not internal disputes, urging reliance on verified party communications, while the ADC also warned the public against fake state chairmen lists circulating online.
Source: Legit.ng
