What Is the Voter Biometric Revalidation Exercise?
The Voter Biometric Revalidation Exercise is a nationwide programme conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to update and verify the biometric data of every registered voter in Nigeria. Biometric data includes your facial photograph — the information that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) uses to identify you on election day.
The exercise runs from April to August 2026. During this period, every voter who registered before January 2024 must revalidate — either online or at an INEC revalidation point — to confirm their identity and have their biometric record updated.
This is not a new registration. Your existing voter registration and PVC remain valid. Revalidation simply ensures that your biometric data in INEC's database is current, accurate, and ready for the 2027 General Elections.
Why Is INEC Doing This?
Register Integrity
Nigeria's voter register was last comprehensively verified in 2011. Over 15 years of additions without systematic cleanup have left the register with outdated records, duplicate entries, and data from deceased voters.
BVAS Accuracy
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) relies on accurate biometric data to verify voters on election day. Outdated photographs cause verification failures, leading to legitimate voters being turned away.
Removing Ghost Voters
Revalidation will identify and remove entries for deceased persons, duplicate registrations, and fraudulent records — strengthening the integrity of every election going forward.
Electoral Credibility
A clean, verified register is the foundation of credible elections. Revalidation demonstrates INEC's commitment to transparent, trustworthy electoral processes for all Nigerians.
Legal Basis
The Voter Biometric Revalidation Exercise is conducted under INEC's constitutional mandate as established in Section 9 of the Electoral Act 2022, which empowers the Commission to maintain, revise, and update the register of voters on a continuous basis. INEC is further mandated under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to organise, undertake, and supervise all elections in Nigeria.
What Will Happen to My Biometric Data?
Your biometric data — your facial photograph — will be stored securely in INEC's encrypted database. This data will be used solely for voter identification purposes during elections, specifically for the BVAS machine to verify your identity on election day.
Your data will NOT be sold, shared with third parties, used for commercial purposes, or made available to any government agency outside of INEC's electoral mandate. INEC processes all voter data in accordance with Nigeria's National Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
Registration vs. Revalidation — What's Different?
| New Voter Registration | Revalidation | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Add new voters to the register | Update existing voter records |
| Who | Unregistered citizens aged 18+ | Already registered voters (pre-Feb 2024) |
| Outcome | New PVC issued | Existing record updated; PVC remains valid |
| Biometrics | Full facial photograph capture (new record) | Facial photograph capture (update/refresh of existing record) |
| Required | Optional (civic right) | Mandatory (or removed from register) |
History of the Voter Register
The Biometric Foundation (2011 – 2014)
2011
Fresh nationwide registration with Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines to collect fingerprints and photographs.
2014
INEC began the transition from the Temporary Voter Card (TVC) to the Permanent Voter Card (PVC), which contained a chip with the voter's biometric data.
The PVC & Smart Card Reader Era (2015 – 2018)
2015
The General Election was the first real test of the biometric PVC. INEC introduced the Smart Card Reader (SCR) to verify PVC authenticity at polling units.
2017
INEC launched the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in April, moving away from pre-election "crash" registration to a year-round process.
2018
CVR continued throughout the year to capture citizens who had turned 18 since 2015. Over 14 million new voters were added by year-end.
Expansion and Transparency (2019 – Present)
2019
The General Election used an updated register with 84 million registered voters.
2021
INEC launched the Online Pre-Registration portal, allowing Nigerians to start their registration online before visiting a physical centre for biometrics.
2022
Introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for elections, combining fingerprint and facial recognition for voter verification.
2023
The General Election utilised the most technologically advanced voter register in Nigeria's history.
2026
Nationwide Biometric Revalidation Exercise — updating and verifying the biometric data of all registered voters before the 2027 General Elections.
INEC's Commitment
INEC is committed to delivering a credible, transparent, and inclusive 2027 General Election. The Voter Biometric Revalidation Exercise is a critical step in ensuring that every vote counts and every voter is verified. We urge all registered voters to revalidate before the August 2026 deadline.
Ready to revalidate?
No internet? No problem.
Dial *89980# on any network — MTN, Airtel, Glo, or 9mobile — to find your nearest polling unit and revalidation point. The service is free of charge.