The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled a nationwide voter revalidation exercise to begin on April 13, 2026. This initiative is part of the commission's strategy to refine Nigeria’s voter register and uphold the integrity of elections.
In a recent announcement via its official X account on Friday, INEC indicated that the exercise's primary objective is to eliminate "null and ineligible voters," which include deceased persons, individuals who are not Nigerian citizens, those below the voting age, and instances of multiple registrations, all in compliance with legal statutes.
The commission detailed that the revalidation process will unfold in stages across different regions of the country. It will commence in Local Government Areas (LGAs) from April 13 to May 2, spanning 20 days. This will be followed by Registration Areas (RAs) from May 5 to May 11, lasting for 7 days. Subsequently, the exercise will proceed to polling units from May 13 to May 19, for another 7-day period, before returning to LGAs from May 20 to May 29, covering 10 days.
INEC stressed that this is not a fresh voter registration drive but is specifically intended for individuals who registered between the years 2011 and 2024.
"It is for those who registered between 2011 up to 2024," the commission clarified.
The electoral body further elaborated that this revalidation effort is a component of its broader commitment to "revise, update, clean and strengthen the integrity, accuracy, inclusivity, and credibility of the national register of voters ahead of future elections."
INEC also noted that the revalidation procedure will be accessible through both online channels and in-person at designated centres across the nation.
For those opting for online participation, eligible voters are instructed to visit the commission's portal, set up an account, and provide their Voter Identification Number (VIN) or personal particulars. The system will then conduct a biometric verification using facial recognition technology, after which the submitted information will be cross-referenced with the central voter database.
"The voter proceeds to revalidate," INEC explained, adding that "a slip is generated and a notification message is sent to the voter for successful revalidation."
For physical verification, citizens are required to visit assigned INEC centres where officials will perform biometric verification and confirm the details against the central database.
"The officer in charge conducts biometric verification using facial image," the commission stated, noting that "any information that requires correction can be updated."
INEC went on to explain that "a slip/printout will be issued to the voter on completion of the process," and "message is sent to email or phone number if available."
The commission issued a caution that failure to participate in this revalidation exercise could potentially impact a voter's eligibility and urged Nigerians to engage without delay.
"The revalidation exercise will be conducted both Online and at Physical Centers," INEC reiterated.
The exercise is scheduled to run daily between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, encompassing weekends and public holidays, as the commission aims for widespread participation and an accurate voter register in preparation for upcoming elections.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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