The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to commence a nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The directive is contained in an internal memo dated 2 March and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, addressed to all Resident Electoral Commissioners.

According to the memo, the decision followed extensive deliberations on the need for a credible voter register during the commission’s strategic retreat held earlier in the year in Lagos.

The document indicates that the exercise will adopt a hybrid model, enabling citizens to participate both online and at designated physical centres nationwide.

Physical centres will be established at local government areas, registration areas, and polling units across the country.

To facilitate the process, the commission will deploy INEC Voter Enrolment Devices (IVEDs), with two devices assigned to each local government area, and one device each to registration areas and polling units.

The exercise will be conducted by a combination of INEC personnel and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), with two officials assigned to each enrolment device.

The memo outlines a detailed timeline for the exercise, which is already in its preparatory phase. Voter education and publicity commenced on 1 March and will run until 5 June.

The first phase of physical revalidation at the local government area level is scheduled to begin on 13 April and end on 2 May.

Fieldwork will then move to registration areas from 5 May to 11 May, and to polling units from 13 May to 19 May.

According to the schedule, printing of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for newly registered voters will take place between 4 June and 3 July, while PVC collection at the registration area level is scheduled for 18 to 24 November.

The timeline also provides for the generation of a PDF register for revalidated voters for 14 days from 15 June; printing of the display register between 7 and 20 July; and public display of the register at registration areas from 18 to 24 August.

The final register of voters for the 2027 general elections will be published on 15 December.

The schedule further indicates that the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on 16 January 2027, followed by the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on 6 February 2027.

Dr. Oriaran-Anthony urged Resident Electoral Commissioners to begin necessary preparations, including personnel mobilisation and configuration of enrolment devices, to ensure a seamless exercise.