INEC to revalidate and clear up voters register nationwide

• Electoral Fee schedules mock accreditation forward of FCT Space Council elections

The Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) has introduced plans to embark on a nationwide voter revalidation train aimed toward cleansing up and strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s voters’ register forward of the 2027 Basic Election, whereas additionally scheduling a mock accreditation and voting train for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Space Council Elections on Saturday, seventh February 2026.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Wednesday whereas addressing two separate consultative conferences with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Media Executives held on the Fee’s Convention Room in Abuja.

In keeping with the Chairman, the voter revalidation train has turn out to be vital to handle persistent challenges related to the nationwide voters’ register, together with duplicate registrations, underage registrations, registration by non-citizens, inclusion of deceased individuals and incomplete or inaccurate voter information, which collectively undermine public confidence within the electoral course of.

He defined that though Nigeria’s nationwide register of voters was first compiled forward of the 2011 Basic Election and has been repeatedly up to date and deployed for successive basic, off-cycle and bye-elections, its credibility should be periodically bolstered to mirror present realities and meet public expectations.

“As of the 2023 Basic Election, the register stood at 93,469,008 voters. Nevertheless, these anomalies proceed to generate reliable considerations. A reputable register stays the bedrock of free, truthful and clear elections. No electoral course of can command public confidence with out belief within the integrity of its voters’ register,” Prof. Amupitan stated, including that the revalidation train would additional sanitise the register forward of 2027.

Turning to the FCT Space Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, twenty first February 2026, the INEC Chairman stated the election would contain 1,680,315 registered voters throughout 2,822 polling models in Abaji, Abuja Municipal Space Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. He disclosed that 570 candidates would contest for the positions of Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Councillors in 68 constituencies, noting that 10 out of the 13 actions outlined within the election timetable launched on twenty third January 2025 had already been efficiently accomplished.

He reminded political events that campaigns would finish on Thursday, nineteenth February 2026, and guaranteed stakeholders that the Fee’s preparations have been on track. He stated non-sensitive supplies had been delivered and batched on the Space Council stage, recruitment of advert hoc personnel had been concluded, and coaching for election responsibility employees, together with Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers, was ongoing. He added that BVAS gadgets have been being configured for accreditation and add of outcomes to the INEC Consequence Viewing (IReV) portal, whereas delicate supplies can be delivered a day earlier than the election.

As a part of INEC’s readiness testing, Prof. Amupitan introduced {that a} mock accreditation train can be performed on Saturday, seventh February 2026, in 289 chosen polling models throughout the six Space Councils, with particulars of the places to be revealed on the Fee’s web site. He additionally disclosed that 83 home and 5 overseas observer {groups} had been accredited for the polls, whereas on-line accreditation for journalists would stay open till eighth February 2026.

The INEC Chairman additional introduced that the Fee would conduct bye-elections on the identical day because the FCT polls in Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State, in addition to in Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies of Kano State, following vacancies arising from resignation and demise of sitting legislators. He stated vital preparations had been concluded for the conduct of the elections.

On forthcoming governorship elections, Prof. Amupitan confirmed that the Ekiti State Governorship Election would maintain on Saturday, twentieth June 2026, whereas the Osun State Governorship Election is scheduled for Saturday, eighth August 2026. He famous that a number of actions within the accepted timetables for each elections had already been accomplished.

Addressing preparations for the 2027 Basic Election, the INEC Chairman assured stakeholders that the Timetable and Schedule of Actions had been finalised in full compliance with the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2022. He, nonetheless, appealed for assist in urging the Nationwide Meeting to expedite motion on the continuing modification of the Electoral Act, noting that well timed legislative readability was important to efficient planning.

Offering updates on the Steady Voter Registration (CVR), Prof. Amupitan stated the Fee registered 2,782,589 eligible voters in the course of the first part of the train performed between August and December 2025. He added that the second part, which commenced on fifth January 2026, would run till seventeenth April 2026, whereas the whole CVR train would conclude on thirtieth August 2026. He burdened that double registration was unlawful and warned that offenders can be detected, faraway from the register.

The INEC Chairman additionally disclosed that the Fee had obtained 171 letters of intent from associations in search of registration as political events, noting that people who met constitutional and authorized necessities can be introduced in the end.

He urged residents of the FCT to gather their Everlasting Voter Playing cards, reminding stakeholders that PVC distribution would finish on tenth February 2026, and known as on political events and their supporters to chorus from hate speech, vote shopping for, misinformation, disinformation and violence throughout campaigns.

In his concluding remarks at each conferences, Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s dedication to transparency, inclusivity and sustained engagement with stakeholders, stressing that safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy was a collective accountability that requires vigilance, professionalism and cooperation, significantly because the nation strikes nearer to the 2027 Basic Election.

Responding on behalf of Civil Society Organisations, Ms. Grace Jerry pledged continued assist for the Fee, assuring INEC of CSOs’ dedication to voter sensitisation, election statement and peaceable participation within the forthcoming FCT Space Council Elections. She expressed concern about delays in amending the Electoral Act and urged all stakeholders to accentuate advocacy for swift legislative motion to keep away from setbacks in preparations for the 2027 Basic Election.

On behalf of the Media, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, counseled the Fee’s initiatives and reaffirmed the media’s readiness to assist the electoral course of by in depth protection, public enlightenment, and accountable reporting. He appealed for sustained capacity-building programmes for journalists and urged media practitioners to uphold skilled ethics, nationwide safety, and nationwide curiosity of their reportage.

Editor in Chief: Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi

Editor: Wilfred Ifogah

Sub-Editor: Esther Chibuikem

Reporter: Nathaniel Audu Gana