The Independent National Electoral Commission has postponed its proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general elections.
The commission had planned to begin the exercise on April 13, 2026, but reversed the decision after meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Friday.
In a statement issued by National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC said the postponement was necessary to prevent disruption to preparations for the 2027 polls.
According to the commission, the voter revalidation exercise was intended to improve the credibility of the National Register of Voters by eliminating duplicate entries, removing deceased and ineligible persons and allowing voters to update their details.
INEC, however, said the exercise would now be conducted after the elections, while reaffirming its commitment to free, fair and credible polls.
The decision followed criticism from opposition parties, civil society organisations and political groups who argued that revalidating voter records close to the elections could disenfranchise many Nigerians.
The African Democratic Congress, some factions of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Obidient Movement had described the planned exercise as ill-timed and potentially harmful to voter turnout.
They warned that many Nigerians, particularly those in remote areas, could struggle to participate because of limited access to information, transportation and technology.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council had also called on INEC to delay the exercise, saying it could complicate the electoral timetable.
With the postponement, attention is now expected to shift to how INEC will maintain the credibility of the voter register ahead of the 2027 elections.