The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended its planned voter revalidation exercise, citing ongoing preparations and procedural considerations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement dated April 4, 2026, INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to halt publicity and arrangements for the exercise, originally scheduled to begin April 13. RECs were instructed to continue internal preparations, including sourcing ad hoc personnel and readying the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other registration devices, pending further directives.
The suspension comes amid concerns from civil society and stakeholders over the timing and transparency of the initiative. The exercise, intended to confirm voter statuses and update the register, was criticized for its proximity to the electoral cycle.
Samson Itodo, executive director of Yiaga Africa, said the revalidation effort “is a good initiative introduced at an unsuitable period.” He cautioned that the exercise could disenfranchise eligible voters due to tight timelines, logistical challenges, and limited public awareness.
“It is a known fact that Nigeria’s voter register needs urgent clean-up to remove errors, multiple registrants, and deceased entries,” Itodo said. “However, the timing is deeply problematic. A revalidation exercise has serious political and electoral consequences, so transparency and planning are critical.”
Itodo suggested that such exercises be conducted immediately after general elections, when there is more time for public consultation, stakeholder engagement, and logistical planning. This, he said, would reduce confusion, ensure broader participation, and strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral framework.
Awalu Anka, a Kaduna-based public affairs analyst, emphasized that INEC must meet public expectations by demonstrating impartiality and careful planning. He said precipitate actions could threaten the credibility of the 2027 elections, particularly given ongoing voter registration and the upcoming political party primaries.
INEC also announced that its scheduled April 9 meeting with RECs would now be held virtually. Commissioners are advised to remain in their states and await login details, the commission said, expressing regret for any inconvenience caused.
