EXPLAINER: Why Anambra is missing from INEC’s ongoing PVC online pre-registration

The absence of Anambra from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) portal for online pre-registration is not an oversight.

It is a strategic move by the electoral body, directly tied to the unique electoral calendar of the state.

Anambra’s electoral activities operate on a different timetable than the rest of the country due to its off-cycle governorship election.

ALSO READ: FULL LIST: Breakdown of INEC’s online PVC pre-registration from 18 to 24 August

While the rest of Nigeria is preparing for the 2027 general elections, Anambra is focused on its own gubernatorial contest, slated for November 8, 2025. This distinct schedule necessitates a separate and completed voter registration exercise.

Anambra’s Dedicated CVR Exercise

INEC, in line with its timetable for the Anambra 2025 governorship election, conducted a special CVR exercise specifically for the state. This dedicated registration window was held earlier in the year to ensure the voter register was updated well in advance of the election.

A Separate Timeline: According to a July 2025 statement by INEC, the Commission had set a specific date for the Anambra PVC pre-registration to resume ahead of the national one. The exercise, which began earlier, was extended from its initial deadline of July 17, 2025, to July 20, 2025, in response to appeals from citizens and stakeholders. This was to provide ample opportunity for all eligible voters to register.

Record Turnout: The dedicated CVR exercise saw a significant turnout, with INEC reporting that over 168,000 new voters were successfully registered in just a few weeks. This data was published in late July 2025, signaling the conclusion of the registration phase. The electoral body also noted that a substantial portion of these new registrants were young people and women.

What Happens Next in Anambra?

With the registration phase for the Anambra governorship election now concluded, INEC’s focus in the state has shifted to the next crucial steps in the electoral process, which do not include new registration.

Display of Preliminary Register: Following the CVR, INEC’s next step was to display the preliminary register for claims and objections by citizens. This is a crucial part of the process that allows voters to check their details for accuracy and helps in the final data cleanup using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS). This exercise was scheduled to take place in all 326 wards in Anambra from late July to early August 2025.

PVC Collection: After the data cleanup, the Commission’s primary task in Anambra is the production and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the new registrants. An announcement on the dates and locations for PVC collection is expected, as this is the final step for voters to be fully prepared for the November election.

While Anambra is in the PVC collection phase, the rest of the country is just beginning its own voter registration. INEC announced that the nationwide online pre-registration for the CVR exercise would begin on August 18, 2025, with in-person registration starting on August 25, 2025.

This is a preparatory step for the 2027 general elections and is not a concern for Anambra’s 2025 gubernatorial poll. Therefore, while citizens in other states are logging on to the online portal to pre-register, Anambra residents’ primary electoral activity is either checking the preliminary register or waiting for PVC collection.

In essence, Anambra’s absence from the nationwide online portal is a clear indication that for the state, voter registration for the next major election has already been successfully concluded. This demonstrates INEC’s state-specific approach to off-cycle elections, ensuring that all necessary activities are completed in a timely and structured manner.