BY: Mustapha Lawal
Claim:
A message circulating widely on WhatsApp claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed May 27 to June 2025 for voter card revalidation, transfer, and replacement.
Verdict:
False! INEC has debunked the claim, clarifying that it has not fixed any date for the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) or related services.
Full Text
A message recently gained viral traction on WhatsApp and other social media platforms in Nigeria, claiming that INEC has announced the commencement of voter registration and revalidation exercises from May 27 to June 2025.
The message states: “BREAKING NEWS: VOTER IDENTIFY CARD REVALIDATION.
INEC has announced that new registration, transfer of voter’s card and replacement of lost card will begin on 27th May 2025 to June 2025. Please let’s pass this INFORMATION around…”
The message was shared in several WhatsApp groups with no identifiable source or link to an official announcement. This has caused confusion among citizens, especially as conversations about electoral reform and the need for continuous voter registration (CVR) have grown louder since the 2023 general elections.
Many Nigerians argue that CVR should be a year-round process to ensure inclusiveness and broader electoral participation, especially for first-time voters, people who relocate, or those who lost their voter cards.
Verification
FactCheckAfrica investigated the claim and found no official communication from INEC confirming such a timeline. Instead, INEC released an official statement on Sunday, May 4, 2025, via its verified X (formerly Twitter) account, categorically stating that no date has been fixed for the resumption of voter registration and associated activities.
In the statement signed by Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, the Commission said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform the general public that it has not yet announced any date for the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), Transfer and Replacement of lost Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).”
INEC emphasized that any official announcement will be publicly and widely communicated through its official platforms and traditional media.
Furthermore, the WhatsApp message circulating is anonymous, contains grammatical errors, and lacks any reference to credible sources, characteristics common in misinformation campaigns.
Conclusion
The claim that INEC has scheduled voter registration and revalidation for May 27 to June 2025 is false. INEC has not announced any date for the resumption of voter-related services.
Nigerians are advised to rely only on official INEC channels for accurate and verified information. Sharing unverified messages can mislead the public and disrupt preparations for credible elections.
