By| Goodluck E.Adubazi | Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ordered an immediate suspension of all publicity and arrangements for its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, following widespread public backlash.
The directive was issued to Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in a letter dated April 4, 2026, and signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
Despite halting public-facing activities,
INEC instructed RECs to continue internal preparations for the exercise, including sourcing personnel and readying 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.
The move comes just days after INEC had announced plans to commence the voter revalidation exercise on April 13, 2026, as part of efforts to update the voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a related development, the Commission also announced a change in its scheduled meeting with RECs. Originally planned as a physical gathering on April 9, the meeting will now hold virtually.
According to the notice titled “Notice of Meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (Virtual)”, commissioners are to remain in their respective states and await further details.
“Further to the notice of meeting dated April 3, 2026, please be informed that the meeting of the commission with Resident Electoral Commissioners scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. will now hold virtually via Zoom,” the statement read.
INEC added that login details for the virtual meeting would be shared once arrangements are finalized, while reiterating that all activities related to the voter revalidation exercise remain on hold pending further directives.
The Commission expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the sudden changes and assured stakeholders of its continued commitment to an efficient electoral process.
