•INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has concluded plans to carry out a nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election, in a move aimed at strengthening the credibility of Nigeria’s voters’ register.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made this known today in Abuja during the Commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for 2026.
Amupitan explained that the exercise was necessitated by recurring issues affecting the register, such as multiple registrations, underage voters, entries of non-citizens, deceased persons, and other inaccuracies.
He stressed that a reliable voters’ register remains fundamental to credible elections.
“A credible register of voters is the foundation of free, fair and transparent elections,” he said, noting that the revalidation exercise would further cleanse the register and boost public trust in the electoral system.
The INEC chairman recalled that the national voters’ register, initially compiled ahead of the 2011 General Election, had grown to 93,469,008 registered voters as of the 2023 General Election, following continuous updates over the years.
Amupitan also assured stakeholders of the Commission’s preparedness for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections slated for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
He said the election would involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils—Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
According to him, 570 candidates will contest for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions across 68 constituencies, adding that political campaigns would officially end on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
The INEC chairman disclosed that non-sensitive election materials had already been distributed to the Area Council offices, while the recruitment and training of ad hoc personnel were ongoing.
He added that BVAS machines were currently being configured for voter accreditation and result upload to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, with sensitive materials scheduled for delivery 24 hours before the election.
Amupitan further revealed that a mock accreditation exercise would take place on Saturday, 7th February 2026, in 289 selected polling units across the FCT.
In other elections, he announced that INEC would conduct bye-elections on the same day in the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State, as well as the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies of Kano State, following vacancies arising from resignations and deaths of lawmakers.
He also confirmed that the Ekiti State governorship election would hold on June 20, 2026, while the Osun State governorship election was scheduled for August 8, 2026.
Speaking on preparations for the 2027 General Election, Amupitan said the Commission had finalised the timetable and schedule of activities in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022, but appealed to the National Assembly to fast-track amendments to the Electoral Act.
He disclosed that 2,782,589 eligible voters were registered during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise conducted between August and December 2025.
He added that the second phase, which began on January 5, 2026, would continue until April 17, 2026.
The INEC chairman also urged CSOs to mobilise residents of the FCT to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the February 10, 2026, deadline for PVC distribution.
“We do not want any eligible voter to be disenfranchised,” he said.
Amupitan called for sustained collaboration with civil society organisations, particularly in the areas of voter education, gender inclusion, and strategies to address voter apathy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
