The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will begin on Thursday, October 9, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, disclosed the date on Monday during the Commission’s North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with staff and readiness assessment for the 2027 polls, held in Kaduna.
The announcement forms part of a six-zone national tour by the Commission to evaluate preparedness, identify operational challenges and address gaps before the elections.
Amupitan said the three phases of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) conducted by INEC produced 10,772,421 new registrations across the country. These figures remain subject to verification through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
He directed officials to eliminate bottlenecks in PVC distribution, particularly at the Local Government Area level, warning that such delays could lead to the disenfranchisement of eligible citizens. The chairman stressed that arrangements have been made for distribution across local government areas and designated electoral wards to ensure a smooth process.
Newly registered voters, as well as those who applied for transfers or replacements of lost or damaged cards, have been advised to visit their designated collection centres with their registration slips or temporary voter’s cards. Voters can check the status of their PVCs and locate collection centres via the Commission’s official voter portal.
Beyond PVC distribution, Amupitan outlined ongoing preparations, including refinement of technological systems for voter verification and result transmission, as well as the Result Management System featuring the recently introduced eEC8A. The Commission is also implementing a “Zero-Failure” approach to logistics, covering early deployment of materials, transportation, security coordination and training of ad-hoc personnel.
The announcement comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the governorship and state assembly elections for February 6, 2027. INEC has urged eligible voters to collect their cards promptly to avoid last-minute challenges.
The Commission appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders to encourage citizens to collect their PVCs, underscoring the card’s importance as the only valid document for accreditation and voting on election day.
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