The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deferred its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise to a date after the 2027 general elections.

The decision followed a meeting between the commission and Resident Electoral Commissioners where several electoral matters were reviewed. INEC said the postponement was necessary after internal deliberations on preparations for the coming polls.

In a statement issued by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission confirmed that the exercise would no longer go ahead as earlier scheduled.

INEC explained that the voter revalidation is an important process designed to clean up and strengthen the National Register of Voters. The exercise is meant to verify voter records, correct personal information, remove duplicate or invalid entries, and give registered voters the chance to update their details.

Although the exercise has been postponed, the commission assured Nigerians that preparations for the 2027 elections remain on course and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible, inclusive and transparent polls.

Earlier, in a letter dated April 4 and signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Resident Electoral Commissioners were instructed to halt publicity and logistical arrangements for the exercise.

The notice asked RECs to suspend all awareness campaigns and other plans, including arrangements for personnel and voter enrolment devices, pending further directives from the commission.

INEC also expressed regret over any inconvenience the change of plan may cause and assured commissioners that new instructions would be communicated in due course.

The voter revalidation drive had initially been slated to begin on April 13, 2026, as part of preparations to update the voter register ahead of the 2027 general election cycle.