The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently clarify reports of a proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise, warning that such a move could trigger widespread confusion and disenfranchise millions of Nigerians ahead of the general elections.
The party described the alleged plan, said to have emerged through a leaked internal memo, as a “recipe for chaos,” cautioning that implementing it less than ten months to the polls could undermine voter participation and erode public confidence in the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party had been inundated with reports suggesting that INEC was considering asking already registered voters to revalidate their details nationwide.
He urged the electoral body to immediately confirm whether the memo was authentic and reflective of its official position, stressing that Nigerians deserve transparency on such a critical matter.
According to the ADC, compelling citizens to undergo a fresh validation process so close to an election would discourage participation, worsen voter apathy, and unfairly exclude those unable to travel within a limited timeframe.
The party questioned what would become of eligible voters who, for valid reasons, may not be able to return to designated centres, asking whether they would be stripped of their constitutional right to vote.
“At a time when voter apathy is already a major concern, introducing additional hurdles will only suppress turnout further and cast doubt on the credibility of the elections,” the statement noted.
ADC further argued that any confusion arising from such a policy could ultimately benefit the ruling party, warning INEC to avoid actions that might be perceived as aiding electoral manipulation.
It also faulted the manner in which the alleged plan surfaced, noting that an exercise of such national importance should not be introduced through a leak just days before its proposed commencement.
“If voter revalidation was necessary, it should have been carried out immediately after the last election, not on the eve of another,” the party stated.
The ADC therefore urged INEC to abandon the reported plan and reassure Nigerians of its commitment to a credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral process.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford avoidable disruptions. The right to vote must not be subjected to last-minute administrative experiments,” the party added.
