Author: Gist Correspondent

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will not conduct a nationwide voter revalidation exercise before the 2027 General Election, citing inadequate time to complete the process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while receiving the Country Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Mr. Moritz Sprenker, during a courtesy visit to the Commission's headquarters.

Amupitan explained that many Nigerians, particularly elderly voters who registered as far back as 2011, would require their voter records to be revalidated, but said the exercise could not be undertaken before the next general election because of time constraints.

He noted that although the revalidation exercise is important for improving the integrity and efficiency of future elections, it would have to be carried out after the 2027 polls.

The INEC chairman described KAS as a longstanding development partner of the Commission and commended the organisation's support for constitutional democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

He said both organisations had collaborated on strengthening political party regulations and electoral preparations through technical retreats held in Uyo and Lagos ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.

Amupitan identified civic education, electoral technology, institutional capacity building, combating misinformation, promoting inclusive participation for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups, as well as inter-agency collaboration for peaceful elections, as key areas for future partnership.

In his remarks, KAS Country Representative, Mr. Moritz Sprenker, said the foundation has operated in Nigeria for more than 25 years, supporting democratic governance through partnerships with government institutions, civil society organisations, academic institutions and the media.

He reaffirmed the foundation's commitment to expanding its collaboration with INEC, recalling a procurement capacity-building workshop organised with the Commission in Lagos in March 2026.