The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to suspend preparations and publicity for the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise.
The instruction was conveyed in a letter dated April 4, 2026, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, ordering RECs to pause all related activities pending further directives.
INEC also announced that its scheduled meeting with RECs on April 9 will now be held virtually via Zoom.
The move comes amid growing criticism from stakeholders, including political analysts and opposition parties, over the proposed exercise.
INEC had earlier introduced the revalidation process to clean up the voter register by removing ineligible entries and improving the credibility of future elections.
However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposed the plan, warning it could disenfranchise millions of Nigerians ahead of upcoming polls.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party argued that asking voters to revalidate their details less than a year to elections could reduce turnout, increase voter apathy, and exclude citizens unable to travel.
The ADC also questioned the timing of the exercise, cautioning INEC against actions that might be perceived as enabling electoral manipulation.