INEC Suspends Voter Revalidation Amid Controversy

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the suspension of a nationwide voter revalidation exercise, which was intended to sanitize the voter register by removing ineligible entries. This decision comes following concerns raised by various stakeholders, including political scientists and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The ADC criticized the timing of the exercise, claiming it could disenfranchise millions of Nigerians just months before the elections, with a statement signed by their national public secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi. The ADC argued that the requirement for registered voters to revalidate their details less than ten months before the polls could suppress voter turnout and deepen apathy.

INEC's letter, signed by Secretary Rose Oriaran, instructed the Resident Electoral Commissions to pause all activities related to the exercise and await further instructions. A meeting of the commission is scheduled for April 9 at 11 am via Zoom to discuss developments.