The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ordered an immediate suspension of all publicity and arrangements for its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, even as it asked Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to continue internal preparations pending further directives.
ENigeria Newspaper obtained the directive in a letter dated April 4, 2026, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, who instructed RECs to pause outward-facing activities related to the exercise.
“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.
Despite the suspension, INEC clarified that groundwork for the exercise should not stop, urging commissioners to proceed with logistical preparations such as sourcing personnel and getting the INEC Voter Enrolment Devices ready.
The development comes just days after the commission had announced plans to kick off the voter revalidation drive on April 13, 2026, as part of efforts to update the voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a related update, INEC also announced a change in the format of its scheduled meeting with RECs. According to the notice titled Notice of Meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (Virtual), the meeting earlier planned as a physical gathering will now hold online.
“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 notice read.
The commission advised all RECs to remain in their respective states ahead of the meeting, adding that access details would be communicated in due course.
“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.
Reiterating its position, the commission stressed that all publicity and external preparations for the voter revalidation exercise must remain on hold until further notice, while also expressing regret over any inconvenience caused by the sudden changes.
