April 5, 2026 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to immediately suspend publicity and logistical preparations for the much-anticipated nationwide voter revalidation exercise, just days before its scheduled commencement.
In an internal directive dated April 4, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC instructed RECs to “step down all publicity and arrangements for the voter revalidation exercise and await further directives from the commission.”
The exercise, which was set to begin on April 13, 2026, aimed to clean the national voters’ register by addressing issues such as multiple registrations, deceased persons, underage voters, and non-Nigerians. It targeted citizens who registered between 2011 and 2024 and was intended to run in phases across local government areas, registration areas, and polling units until late May. INEC had earlier described the revalidation as an administrative audit — not a fresh registration — to ensure a credible voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Preparations, including a training-of-trainers workshop and mobilisation of INEC Voter Enrolment Devices (IVEDs), were already underway.The sudden suspension comes amid growing public criticism and concerns from political stakeholders and civil society groups over the timing, potential for voter disenfranchisement, and the legality of making revalidation compulsory for already registered voters. Some reports also indicated that related information was temporarily removed from INEC’s official platforms.
INEC has not yet provided an official public explanation for the suspension. However, officials have been told to continue certain internal preparations while halting all external publicity and arrangements.The Commission’s Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, has previously defended similar voter register cleanup efforts as necessary for electoral integrity. Routine processes continue.
Voters are advised that the suspension affects only the planned compulsory nationwide revalidation drive. The ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), transfers, corrections, and replacement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) through the INEC portal and designated centres remain unaffected. Nigerians with concerns about their voter registration status are encouraged to visit the INEC website (inecnigeria.org) or contact their state INEC offices for updates.
Further directives from the Commission are expected in due course.This report is based on official internal communications and multiple credible news sources.
