INEC U-Turns And Halts Voter Card Revalidation Plan After Backlash
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to suspend publicity and arrangements for the planned voter revalidation exercise.
A wave of criticism had greeted last Wednesday’s announcement by INEC of plans for a nationwide voter revalidation drive from 13 April 2026.
The commission said the revalidation was part of efforts to update the voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission disclosed the u-turn to halt the exercise in a letter dated Saturday 4th April 2026, by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
INEC, however, asked all RECs to continue necessary preparations for the exercise, including sourcing personnel and preparing INEC Voter Enrolment Devices.
‘RECs are also directed to step down all publicity and arrangements for the voter revalidation exercise and await further directives from the commission’, the notice stated.
Meanwhile, the letter, titled Notice of Meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (Virtual), stated that the meeting with RECs earlier scheduled to hold physically on Thursday, 9 April, at 11:00 a.m. will now be conducted virtually via Zoom.
‘Further to the notice of meeting dated 3 April 2026, please be informed that the meeting of the commission with Resident Electoral Commissioners scheduled for Thursday, 9 April 2026, at 11:00 a.m. will now hold virtually via Zoom’, the notice read.
The commission advised RECs to remain in their respective states and await login details, which will be shared once arrangements for the virtual meeting are concluded.
‘Consequently, RECs are advised to remain in their states and await the login details, which will be shared once the meeting is set up’, INEC said.
The commission added that all publicity and preparations for the voter revalidation exercise should be put on hold pending further directives.
