The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Dr. Sam Amadi, has faulted the early closure of voter registration ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the practice as unreasonable and inconsistent with efforts to promote inclusive democratic participation.
Amadi made the remarks on Sunday, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt a more flexible voter registration timetable that allows all eligible Nigerians ample opportunity to register before the elections.
According to him, ending the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise too early could disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters, particularly young people and first-time registrants, thereby weakening public confidence in the electoral process.
“Closing voter registration nearly seven months before an election is unreasonable.“It prevents many young Nigerians who turn 18 before Election Day from registering to vote, effectively denying them the opportunity to participate until the next election cycle,” he said.
He argued that the primary objective of voter registration should be to expand citizens’ access to the electoral system rather than create administrative barriers that limit participation.
The political analyst called on INEC to strengthen its voter registration framework and prioritise accessibility, insisting that broader voter participation is essential to the credibility, fairness and legitimacy of the 2027 general elections.
