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

The directive was conveyed in an internal memorandum dated March 2 and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, addressed to all Resident Electoral Commissioners across the country.

According to the memo, the decision is aimed at ensuring a “credible voter register,” a key issue deliberated during the commission’s strategic retreat held earlier this year in Lagos.

INEC disclosed that the exercise will adopt a hybrid approach, enabling eligible citizens to participate both online and through designated physical centres. These centres will be established at Local Government Areas (LGAs), registration areas, and polling units nationwide.

To support the exercise, the commission plans to deploy INEC Voter Enrolment Devices (IVEDs), with two devices assigned to each LGA, and one each to registration areas and polling units. The process will be carried out by a combination of INEC personnel and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), with two officials assigned per device.

Preparatory activities, including voter education and public awareness campaigns, commenced on March 1 and are scheduled to continue until June 5.

The revalidation exercise will begin at the LGA level from April 13 to May 2, before moving to registration areas from May 5 to May 11, and subsequently to polling units between May 13 and May 19.

INEC’s timetable indicates that the printing of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for newly registered voters will take place from June 4 to July 3, while PVC collection at the registration area level is scheduled for November 18 to November 24.

Further stages include the generation of a PDF register of revalidated voters for 14 days beginning June 15, followed by the printing of the display register from July 7 to July 20. The register will be displayed at registration areas from August 18 to August 24.

The final voter register for the 2027 general elections is expected to be published on December 15.

According to the schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027.

Oriaran-Anthony urged Resident Electoral Commissioners to initiate necessary preparations, including the deployment of personnel and configuration of enrolment devices, to ensure a smooth and efficient exercise.