INEC Directs RECs to Suspend Voter Revalidation Preparations

The Independent National Electoral Commission instructed all Resident Electoral Commissioners to suspend ongoing publicity and preparations for the proposed voter revalidation exercise pending further guidance.

This was disclosed in a notice of meeting addressed to RECs in the federation, which was signed by the commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

TVC News Online reports that INEC announced plans to commence a nationwide revalidation of the voter register as part of efforts to enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system. In a public notice shared via its official X handle,  the commission said the exercise would focus on cleaning up the register by removing ineligible entries. According to INEC, the process will target the deletion of “null and ineligible voters, such as deceased, non-Nigerians, underage, and multiple registrations,” in line with existing legal provisions.

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In the meeting notice, INEC also rescheduled its planned meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), announcing that the session will now be held virtually.

The commission disclosed that the meeting, earlier scheduled to take place physically on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., will instead be conducted via Zoom.

RECs have been directed to remain in their respective states and await further communication, including login details for the virtual session, once arrangements are finalised.

INEC expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the change, assuring stakeholders of its continued commitment to effective coordination and communication.

The electoral umpire had earlier said that the voter revalidation exercise would commence on April 13 and applies specifically to voters who registered between 2011 and 2024.

“The exercise is part of the commission’s efforts to revise, update, clean and strengthen the integrity, accuracy, inclusivity, and credibility of the national register of voters ahead of future elections,” the notice stated. INEC disclosed that the revalidation would be conducted through both online platforms and physical centres nationwide, providing flexibility for eligible participants.

However, the move by INEC had sparked reactions over the timing and the possibility of disenfranchising some voters.

READ ALSO: INEC Begins Voter Register Revalidation April 13

A political activist and public affairs analyst, Chris Nwosu, in an open letter addressed to INEC, warned that the exercise could potentially disenfranchise some voters, adding that the timeline may not allow adequate participation by eligible voters.

Nwosu, while acknowledging the importance of maintaining an accurate voter register, argued that the process should be deferred until after the 2027 elections to avoid excluding millions of Nigerians from exercising their civic rights.

He said, “The reasoning behind my position is legion, but primarily has to do with the lackadaisical attitude or disposition of Nigerians towards similar exercises in the past. Nigerians are not known to be quick in responding to deadlines, even in matters of data building not related to elections. A resort to history would affirm that there has never been one such exercise in recent history where the initially set deadline was not extended, sometimes more than once, due largely to poor response.

“The above being the case, it should be beyond argument that there is no way your Commission can get even a bulk of Nigerians whose names are on your voter register to come forward and be revalidated in time to have their cards ready for collection before the January 16 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Going by past experiences, to even get those whose cards may be ready before then to come and collect them would require time and extraordinary effort on the part of your Commission. And you can be certain that many would not have collected them before then.”