INEC Announces Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise Ahead of 2026 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a nationwide voter revalidation exercise aimed at strengthening the credibility and accuracy of Nigeria’s voter register ahead of upcoming electoral activities.

According to the Commission, the current voter register contains records compiled over multiple registration cycles spanning the last 15 years, from 2010 to 2024. 

"Over this period, advancements in technology, changes in biometric standards, and shifting demographic realities have made it necessary to update and verify existing voter information."

INEC added that the revalidation exercise is designed to confirm that registered voters remain active and eligible, while also improving the integrity of the electoral database. 

The process will allow the Commission to enhance biometric records, update voters’ contact and demographic details, and identify as well as eliminate duplicate or invalid entries.

The Commission emphasized that the initiative will ultimately produce a more credible voter register and boost public trust and confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The exercise will run for 44 days, from April 13 to May 29, 2026, and will take place across multiple levels. It will be conducted for 20 days at the Local Government level, followed by 7 days each at the Registration Area (RA) and Polling Unit (PU) levels, before concluding with an additional 10 days again at the Local Government level.

INEC also disclosed that the revalidation can be completed either physically at designated centers nationwide or online through its official portal.

The Commission urged all eligible voters who registered between 2010 and 2024 to participate in the exercise to ensure their records remain valid and up to date.