The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to commence a nationwide revalidation of the voter register to remove ineligible entries and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a public notice issued via its official X handle on Friday, the commission said the exercise would target “null and ineligible voters,” including the deceased, non-Nigerians, underage persons, and cases of multiple registration, in line with legal provisions.
INEC clarified that the exercise is not a fresh registration but applies to voters who registered between 2011 and 2024. It described the initiative as part of ongoing efforts to revise, update, and clean the voter register to enhance its accuracy, inclusivity, and credibility ahead of future elections.
The exercise will be conducted both online and at designated centres nationwide. It is scheduled to run in phases from April 13 to May 29, 2026, across local government areas, registration areas, and polling units, with daily operations from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., including weekends and public holidays.
For online participation, voters are required to visit INEC’s portal to create an account and provide their voter identification number or personal details for biometric verification. The system will verify identities using facial recognition and cross-check data with the central voter database. Successful applicants will receive a notification along with a validation slip.
For in-person revalidation, voters are to visit designated INEC centres with their voter identification details, where officials will carry out biometric verification and update records as necessary. A confirmation slip will be issued upon completion, with notifications sent via email or phone where available.
INEC urged all eligible voters to participate in the exercise, describing it as critical to ensuring credible elections and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
