The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over delays in amending the Electoral Act, even as it announced plans for a nationwide voter revalidation exercise aimed at strengthening the credibility of the 2027 General Election.
The concerns were expressed on Wednesday in Abuja as INEC commenced a new round of consultative meetings with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), signalling the start of intensive preparations for forthcoming elections and the 2027 polls.
Welcoming participants, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, described the engagement as a critical platform for collaboration, warning that 2026 would be a demanding electoral year.
He stressed that safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy would require joint action by all stakeholders, particularly in addressing legal and administrative gaps ahead of the general election.
While assuring Nigerians that the timetable for the 2027 General Election would be released strictly in line with constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act, Amupitan expressed worry over delays in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly.
He cautioned that prolonged legislative inaction could affect early planning and smooth execution of electoral activities.
To address credibility concerns, the INEC chairman announced that the Commission would conduct a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise ahead of 2027.
According to him, the exercise is designed to sanitise the voters’ register by eliminating duplicate entries, under-age registrations, non-citizens and deceased voters.
“A credible voters’ register remains the foundation of public confidence in elections,” he said, noting that revalidation is necessary to protect the integrity of the electoral process and public trust in outcomes.
Amupitan also provided updates on the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, disclosing that over 2.78 million eligible voters were registered during the first phase, while the second phase would continue until April 2026.
He added that INEC had received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties, with successful applicants to be announced in due course.
In outlining preparations for nearer-term polls, the INEC chairman confirmed that the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections would hold on 21 February 2026, alongside bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
He said preparations were at an advanced stage, including recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, configuration of BVAS devices and accreditation of domestic and foreign observers.
Responding on behalf of the CSOs, Grace Alache Jerry reaffirmed civil society’s commitment to supporting INEC in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process through voter education, election observation and peace advocacy.
However, she echoed INEC’s concerns over delays in amending the Electoral Act, warning that failure to conclude the process early could pose challenges for the 2027 General Election.
She called on stakeholders to intensify advocacy efforts directed at the National Assembly to ensure urgent legislative action.
Responding on behalf of the CSOs, Grace Alache Jerry reaffirmed civil society’s commitment to supporting INEC in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process through voter education, election observation and peace advocacy.
However, she echoed INEC’s concerns over delays in amending the Electoral Act, warning that failure to conclude the process early could pose challenges for the 2027 General Election.
She called on stakeholders to intensify advocacy efforts directed at the National Assembly to ensure urgent legislative action.
“As stakeholders, we all have a critical role to play to ensure that the 2027 election happens seamlessly and without challenges,” she said.
INEC also urged CSOs to help mobilise voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of deadlines, while supporting campaigns against hate speech, vote buying and electoral violence, as part of broader efforts to deliver credible and peaceful elections in 2027.
“As stakeholders, we all have a critical role to play to ensure that the 2027 election happens seamlessly and without challenges,” she said.
INEC also urged CSOs to help mobilise voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of deadlines, while supporting campaigns against hate speech, vote buying and electoral violence, as part of broader efforts to deliver credible and peaceful elections in 2027.
