The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the postponement of its nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general elections.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, following a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
According to the Commission, the proposed exercise was reviewed during the meeting, after which it resolved to defer the process until after the 2027 elections.
INEC emphasised that the voter revalidation exercise remains a vital part of its mandate to maintain a credible and up-to-date National Register of Voters. The initiative is designed to verify existing records, ensure the accuracy of voter data, remove duplicate and ineligible entries, and strengthen the overall integrity of the register.
It also provides registered voters with the opportunity to confirm their details and make necessary corrections where required.
Originally scheduled to run from April 13 to May 19, 2026, the exercise was planned in three phases across local government, ward, and polling unit levels. Its primary objective was to sanitise the voter register by removing duplicate, underage, deceased, and otherwise ineligible entries, while allowing voters to update their personal information.
Despite the postponement, INEC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections, noting that the decision is intended to ensure a smooth and well-prepared lead-up to the 2027 polls.
Meanwhile, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will take place from April 2026 to January 2027. The Commission also highlighted its ongoing deployment of election technologies, including BVAS and a hybrid results transmission system, to enhance transparency and efficiency.
The 2027 general elections are scheduled as follows:
- January 16, 2027 – Presidential and National Assembly elections
- February 6, 2027 – Governorship and State Assembly elections
