The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced the postponement of its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general elections.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, following a meeting between the Commission and its Resident Electoral Commissioners held on April 10, 2026.
What the Revalidation Exercise Entails
INEC explained that the voter revalidation process remains a key part of its constitutional responsibility to maintain an accurate and credible National Register of Voters.
The exercise is designed to:
- Verify existing voter records
- Correct errors in personal data
- Remove duplicate or ineligible entries
- Allow voters confirm and update their details
Despite its importance, the Commission did not provide a specific reason for delaying the exercise until after the elections.
2027 Election Timeline
Earlier this year, INEC revised the timetable for the 2027 general elections following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
Under the updated schedule:
- Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027
- Governorship and State Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027
These dates were moved forward from the earlier February and March timeline.
Rising Cost of Elections
INEC has also projected a budget of N873.78 billion for the 2027 elections, a significant increase compared to the N313.4 billion spent on the 2023 polls. In addition, the Commission requires N171 billion to fund its operations in 2026.
The higher cost reflects the expanded scale of operations and the implementation of new legal and technological frameworks.
Technology and Transparency
Amid ongoing debates around election result transmission, the Commission reiterated its commitment to deploying technology to improve transparency.
While there are provisions for both electronic and manual transmission in areas with network challenges, INEC assured Nigerians that efforts are being made to strengthen real time reporting systems.
Despite postponing the revalidation exercise, the Commission emphasized its commitment to delivering free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections across the country.
