INEC Launches Nationwide Voter Register Revalidation April 13 to Clean Up Electoral Roll

Commission targets deceased, underage, and multiple registrations in major credibility drive ahead of future elections

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By A1 News International | Abuja, Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the commencement of a nationwide voter register revalidation exercise scheduled to begin on April 13, 2026, as part of efforts to enhance the credibility and accuracy of Nigeria’s electoral system.

The commission disclosed this in a public notice, stating that the exercise is aimed at cleaning up the national voter database by removing ineligible entries and updating existing records.

Targeting Ineligible Voters

INEC said the revalidation exercise will focus on identifying and removing categories of voters that do not meet legal requirements, including deceased persons, non-Nigerians, underage registrants, and cases of multiple registrations.

According to the commission, the move is in line with statutory provisions guiding the maintenance of a credible voter register.

Not a Fresh Registration

The electoral body clarified that the exercise is not a new voter registration process but is strictly limited to individuals who registered between 2011 and 2024.

INEC noted that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to “revise, update, clean and strengthen the integrity, accuracy, inclusivity, and credibility” of the voter register ahead of upcoming elections.

Hybrid Process: Online and Physical Verification

The revalidation will be conducted through both online and in-person channels.

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For online participation, voters are required to access the INEC portal, create an account, and provide their voter identification number or personal details. The system will then carry out biometric verification using facial recognition technology, cross-checking data against the central database.

Successful applicants will receive confirmation along with a validation slip.

For physical verification, voters are expected to visit designated INEC centres nationwide with their voter details, where biometric data will be verified and records updated where necessary. A confirmation slip will also be issued upon completion.

Timeline and Schedule

INEC announced that the exercise will run in phases across all local government areas, registration areas, and polling units nationwide from April 13 to May 29, 2026.

Daily operations will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., including weekends and public holidays.

Strengthening Electoral Integrity

The commission urged all eligible voters to participate actively in the exercise, describing it as critical to ensuring credible elections and reinforcing public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

INEC emphasized that a clean and reliable voter register remains a cornerstone of free, fair, and transparent elections.