INEC Defers Voter Revalidation Exercise Until After 2027 Polls

INEC Defers Voter Revalidation Exercise Until After 2027 Polls

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general elections, following consultations with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

The decision was reached at a meeting held on Friday, where the Commission reviewed the proposed exercise and resolved to shift its implementation timeline.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC said the postponement was part of efforts to ensure proper planning and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

The Commission explained that the voter revalidation exercise remains a key component of its mandate to maintain a credible and up-to-date National Register of Voters.

According to the statement, the exercise is designed to verify existing voter records, correct inaccuracies, remove duplicate and ineligible entries, and allow registered voters to confirm or update their personal details.

“The voter revalidation exercise is a critical component of the Commission’s mandate to maintain a credible and up-to-date National Register of Voters,” the statement said.

INEC, however, reassured Nigerians of its commitment to delivering free, fair, credible and inclusive elections, noting that preparations for the 2027 polls remain on course.

The postponement comes amid growing debate over the proposed exercise, which had earlier been scheduled to commence in April 2026 as part of efforts to clean up the voter register ahead of the next general election.

While the Commission had argued that the exercise was necessary to address issues such as duplicate registrations, inclusion of deceased persons and inaccurate voter data, critics raised concerns about its timing and potential impact on voter participation.

Some stakeholders warned that combining revalidation with ongoing voter registration and other pre-election activities could overstretch logistics and create confusion for voters.

The announcement had also sparked widespread reactions, particularly on social media, where many Nigerians questioned why such an extensive exercise would be conducted close to the election cycle.

In the days leading up to the latest decision, INEC had already directed electoral commissioners across the states to suspend publicity and logistical preparations for the exercise, signalling a possible rethink of the plan.

The proposed revalidation, which targets voters registered between 2011 and 2024, was expected to involve both online and physical verification processes aimed at strengthening the credibility of the voter database.

The Commission had maintained that the clean-up was necessary, citing concerns over inaccuracies in the register, including multiple registrations and the presence of ineligible voters.

With the latest postponement, INEC may be seeking to avoid disruptions to the electoral timetable while addressing concerns raised by political actors and civil society groups.

The move is also expected to shift focus to other preparatory activities ahead of the 2027 elections, including voter education, logistics and continuous voter registration, as the Commission works to build public confidence in the electoral process.