INEC postpones voters revalidation till after 2027 elections
• Amupitan has no X account, disregard partisan fabrications – Commission The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced the postponement of the planned voter revalidation exercise till after the
• Amupitan has no X account, disregard partisan fabrications – Commission
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced the postponement of the planned voter revalidation exercise till after the 2027 general elections.
The commission, in a statement, said it was committed to the conduct of a free, fair and credible election, adding that a new date will be announced for the exercise.
The voter revalidation exercise which was aimed at cleaning up the voter register has been widely criticised by opposition political parties who alleged that it will disenfranchise many Nigerians especially those living in the rural areas.
The statement signed by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna reads: "The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) today, Friday, 10th April 2026, during which, among other issues, the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise was considered.
"Following deliberations, the Commission resolved to postpone the exercise until after the 2027 General Election.
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"The voter revalidation exercise is a critical component of the Commission’s mandate to maintain a credible and up-to-date National Register of Voters.
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"It is designed to verify and review existing voter records, ensure the accuracy of personal data, eliminate duplicate and ineligible entries, and strengthen the overall integrity of the voter register. The exercise also aims to provide an opportunity for registered voters to confirm their details and make necessary corrections where required.
"INEC remains committed to the conduct of free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections".
Meanwhile, the commission’s chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan says he has alerted security agent of identity thieves using his name to perpetuate fake information on X, formerly Twitter.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan said he does not own any personal account on X, nor has he authorised any partisan post supporting any political ideology.
He said those responsible for stealing his identity were out to impinge on his integrity and neutrality at a critical period when the commission is focused on significant electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls. It is a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust in the electoral umpire
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The statement said "the attention of the Office of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been drawn to a malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny circulating on social media. The false claim alleges that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has, in the past, endorsed a partisan post on the platform X (formerly Twitter).
"The Commission wishes to state categorically that this allegation is entirely baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X. He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary, nor has he ever associated himself with any political leaning or activity in his private or public capacity.
"This contrived X post is a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman at a critical period when the Commission is focused on significant electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls. It is a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust in the electoral umpire.
"Beyond this partisan mischief, the Commission is aware that cybercriminals have been on the prowl, utilising fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
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"We wish to place it on record that several of such fraudulent accounts had been identified and reported to security agencies in the past. This latest fabrication is merely a continuation of a criminal pattern aimed at exploiting the Commission’s profile for illicit gains.
"The Commission will not fold its arms while the character of its leadership is being assassinated by digital imposters and mischief-makers. We wish to notify the public that we are working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify the individuals or groups behind this identity theft and misinformation.
"Let it be clearly understood that the Commission will ensure that these imposters face the full wrath of the law. Identity theft and the dissemination of deepfake or forged social media interactions are criminal offenses under the Cybercrimes Act. Those responsible for this mischief will be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who believe the digital space is a safe haven for criminality.
"The general public is hereby urged to disregard this falsehood in its entirety. We will continue to disseminate official information regarding the Commission and the Chairman’s activities only through our verified institutional channels and formal press statements.
"The Commission remains undeterred and fully committed to its mandate of delivering free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians.”
