INEC Suspends Voter Revalidation Exercise
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended its scheduled voters’ revalidation exercise across Nigeria. The commission, in a statement, instructed its Resident Electoral...
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended its scheduled voters’ revalidation exercise across Nigeria. The commission, in a statement, instructed its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to halt all publicity and logistical arrangements for the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise.
Revalidating the voter register aims to remove the names of those who have passed away, ensuring the register is more accurate and manageable, rather than being filled with outdated entries, according to the Commission Chairman in an interview.
The directive to stop the exercise was contained in an official communication signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, barely days after INEC publicly declared that the voter revalidation exercise would begin nationwide on April 13, 2026.
According to the INEC, the exercise is also aimed at cleaning up and updating the voter register by allowing eligible Nigerians to confirm or update their details while addressing issues such as duplicate registrations and outdated voter information.
Furthermore, this decision marks an unexpected change in how the commission is preparing for the exercise, an important process for refreshing Nigeria’s voter register before the 2027 general elections.
The process of voter revalidation is regarded as delicate and intricate, demanding thorough preparation to maintain transparency, credibility, and confidence among the public.
However, despite the suspension of physical activities, INEC clarified that preparatory work behind the scenes should continue.
Resident Electoral Commissioners received clear directions to organise internal preparations, which included hiring and assigning staff and ensuring that the commission’s technology—like INEC Voter Enrolment Devices—was fully operational.
“RECs are also directed to step down all publicity and arrangements for the voter revalidation exercise and await further directives from the commission,” the notice stated.
INEC further communicated an adjustment to the format of its planned meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). The commission had originally intended to hold an in-person session at its headquarters in Abuja; however, the meeting will now take place virtually.
According to the notice titled “Notice of Meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (Virtual)”, the session, earlier fixed for Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., will now take place via Zoom.
“Further to the notice of meeting dated April 3, 2026, please be informed that the meeting of the commission with Resident Electoral Commissioners scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. will now hold virtually via Zoom,” the notice read.
INEC advised all RECs to remain in their respective states and await further instructions, including login details for the virtual meeting, which will be communicated once arrangements are finalised.
“Consequently, RECs are advised to remain in their states and await the login details, which will be shared once the meeting is set up,” INEC said.
The commission restated its order to halt all publicity efforts and field activities concerning the voter revalidation exercise, effective until further instructions are given.
INEC also expressed regret over any inconvenience the changes might cause to its officials and stakeholders, assuring them that the decisions were made in the interest of ensuring a smooth and credible electoral process.
The commission emphasised that additional instructions would be communicated in due course, suggesting that a revised timeline or framework for the exercise may be under consideration.
Victory for the Opposition Party, ADC?
The African Democratic Congress opposed the validation exercise, claiming it would be a potential “recipe for chaos” and a tool for voter suppression. It will disenfranchise many voters in the north due to low literacy rates.
The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that implementing a revalidation exercise less than a year before the 2027 general elections is a “last-minute administrative experiment” that could disenfranchise millions of voters.
The party argues that making citizens revalidate their registration would reduce participation and increase voter apathy, given the challenges faced in obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The ADC voiced worries that people living in rural areas—who may have less access to technology or find it difficult to reach validation centres—could be impacted more than others.
The ADC raised alarms about the exercise surfacing through a “leaked memo” shortly before its intended start, calling for full transparency from INEC.
The party warned that the confusion caused by this exercise could unfairly benefit the ruling party, and that INEC must act as an independent umpire rather than helping to “rig the elections before the votes are even cast”.
