Yiaga Africa Faults INEC’s Voter Revalidation Plan

Yiaga Africa has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against a planned voter revalidation exercise, describing it as a good policy with dangerous timing.

INEC indicated plans to undertake nationwide voter revalidation exercise scheduled to commence on April 13, 2027.

But the executive director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said the timing of the exercise is deeply problematic as of this moment the framework, scope, procedures and implications are unknown to the public.

Itodo told LEADERSHIP that voter revalidation exercise has serious political and electoral consequences, so timing and transparency is absolutely critical.

He said introducing a nationwide revalidation exercise now risks overwhelming the system, confusing voters and potentially suppressing participation, especially among those who may not understand the process or miss the revalidation deadline.

“It is a known and publicly acceptable fact that Nigeria’s voter register is in dire need of urgent clean-up to remove errors, multiple registrants, and dead persons. The much talked about INEC revalidation exercise is definitely a great approach to clean the register.

“However, the timing of the exercise is deeply problematic. As of this moment the framework, scope, procedures, and implications are unknown to the public.

“A voter revalidation exercise has serious political and electoral consequences, so timing and transparency is absolutely critical.

“This is a case of a good policy implemented at a wrong time. The 2027 electoral cycle has the most compressed timelines for electoral activities, and it is clear the system is overstretched.

“Continuous Voter Registration is still ongoing, political party primaries are set to begin in a matter of weeks, and delays in the release of funding to INEC have already placed enormous pressure on the commission’s preparations.

“Introducing a nationwide revalidation exercise now risks overwhelming the system, confusing voters, and potentially suppressing participation, especially among those who may not understand the process or miss the revalidation deadline.

“I urge INEC to proceed with caution and reconsider the timing. The most appropriate time for revalidation is immediately after a general election, when there is more time for proper planning, consultation, public sensitisation, and implementation without undermining the credibility of the electoral process,” Itodo stated.