The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed its proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 General Election, bowing to mounting public criticism over the timing of the initiative.
The decision was taken on Friday, April 10, 2026, during a meeting between the Commission and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), where preparations for upcoming elections and other policy matters were discussed.
In a statement issued by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission confirmed that the exercise would no longer hold before the 2027 polls.
INEC had initially introduced the revalidation plan as part of efforts to sanitise the National Register of Voters. The exercise was expected to verify voter records, correct personal data, eliminate duplicate and ineligible entries, and enhance the credibility of the voter database.
It was also intended to give registered voters the opportunity to confirm and update their information.
However, the proposal drew widespread backlash from Nigerians and key stakeholders, who argued that conducting such an exercise so close to a general election could create uncertainty and potentially disenfranchise eligible voters. Many called on the Commission to shelve the plan until after the electoral cycle.
Following deliberations, INEC opted to defer the exercise, a move seen as an attempt to calm tensions and reinforce confidence in the electoral process.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to delivering free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections, assuring Nigerians that all decisions are guided by the need to protect the integrity of the electoral system as the 2027 elections approach.
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