… Disowns fake X account, alerts security agencies
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the postponement of its nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general election.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, following a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
According to the Commission, “the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise was considered” during the meeting, after which it “resolved to postpone the exercise until after the 2027 General Election.”
INEC explained that the exercise remains a “vital component” of its mandate to maintain a credible and up-to-date National Register of Voters.
“It is designed to verify and review existing voter records, ensure the accuracy of personal data, eliminate duplicate and ineligible entries, and strengthen the overall integrity of the voter register.
“The exercise also aims to provide an opportunity for registered voters to confirm their details and make necessary corrections where required,” he said.
The revalidation exercise had initially been scheduled to take place between April 13 and May 19, 2026, in three phases covering local government, ward, and polling unit levels.
Its purpose was to sanitise the national register of voters, removing duplicate, underage, deceased, and ineligible entries, while allowing voters to verify and update their personal information.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering “free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections,” noting that the postponement is aimed at ensuring a smooth build-up to the 2027 polls.
Meanwhile, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will run from April 2026 to January 2027, alongside the ongoing deployment of technologies like BVAS and a hybrid results transmission system.
The elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027 (Presidential/National Assembly) and February 6, 2027 (Governorship/State Assembly).
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has raised the alarm over identity thieves using his name to circulate false information on X.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan clarified that he does not operate any personal account on X and has not authorised any posts endorsing political ideologies.
He warned that those behind the impersonation are attempting to undermine his integrity and neutrality at a critical time when the commission is engaged in key electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls.
According to him, the act is a deliberate distraction aimed at eroding public confidence in the electoral body.
The statement said, “The attention of the Office of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been drawn to a malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny circulating on social media. The false claim alleges that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has, in the past, endorsed a partisan post on the platform X (formerly Twitter).
“The Commission wishes to state categorically that this allegation is entirely baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X. He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary, nor has he ever associated himself with any political leaning or activity in his private or public capacity.
“This contrived X post is a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman at a critical period when the Commission is focused on significant electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls. It is a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust in the electoral umpire.
“Beyond this partisan mischief, the Commission is aware that cybercriminals have been on the prowl, utilising fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
“We wish to place it on record that several of such fraudulent accounts had been identified and reported to security agencies in the past. This latest fabrication is merely a continuation of a criminal pattern aimed at exploiting the Commission’s profile for illicit gains.
“The Commission will not fold its arms while the character of its leadership is being assassinated by digital imposters and mischief-makers. We wish to notify the public that we are working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify the individuals or groups behind this identity theft and misinformation.
“Let it be clearly understood that the Commission will ensure that these imposters face the full wrath of the law. Identity theft and the dissemination of deepfake or forged social media interactions are criminal offenses under the Cybercrimes Act. Those responsible for this mischief will be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who believe the digital space is a safe haven for criminality.
“The general public is hereby urged to disregard this falsehood in its entirety. We will continue to disseminate official information regarding the Commission and the Chairman’s activities only through our verified institutional channels and formal press statements.
“The Commission remains undeterred and fully committed to its mandate of delivering free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians.”