The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to begin a nationwide voter revalidation exercise on April 13, 2026, aimed at improving the accuracy of Nigeria’s voter register. The commission says the process will help remove invalid entries and strengthen electoral integrity ahead of future elections.
In a public notice posted Friday on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, INEC stated that the exercise will identify and eliminate “null and ineligible voters,” including deceased persons, underage registrants, non-Nigerians, and cases of multiple registrations, in line with legal provisions.
Phased Nationwide Rollout
According to INEC, the revalidation exercise will be conducted in phases across the country. Activities will begin at Local Government Area (LGA) offices from April 13 to May 2, spanning 20 days.
This will be followed by Registration Area (RA) centres from May 5 to May 11 for seven days, and then at polling units from May 13 to May 19 for another seven-day period. The exercise will conclude with a return to LGAs from May 20 to May 29 for an additional 10 days.
Not a Fresh Registration
INEC clarified that the process is not intended for new voter registration. Instead, it is specifically designed for individuals who registered between 2011 and 2024.
“The exercise is not a fresh registration,” the commission noted, emphasizing that only previously registered voters within the specified period are eligible.
Online and Physical Verification Options
The commission said the revalidation will be available through both online and in-person channels to ensure accessibility.
For online verification, eligible voters are required to visit INEC’s portal, create an account, and provide their Voter Identification Number (VIN) or personal details. The system will then perform biometric checks using facial recognition technology before validating the information against the central database.
Upon successful verification, a confirmation slip will be generated and a notification sent to the voter.
For physical participation, voters can visit designated INEC centres nationwide, where officials will conduct biometric verification and update any necessary details. A printed confirmation slip will be issued, while notifications may also be sent via email or SMS where available.
Call for Public Participation
INEC stressed that the exercise is part of broader efforts to “revise, update, and strengthen the integrity, accuracy, inclusivity, and credibility” of Nigeria’s voter register.
The commission warned that failure to complete the revalidation process could impact a voter’s eligibility in future elections, urging Nigerians not to delay participation.
The exercise will run daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., including weekends and public holidays, to allow for wide participation.
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