2027: INEC sets date for PVC collection

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced 9 October as the date for the commencement of nationwide collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, a professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), announced the date on Monday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at a strategic workshop with media executives organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in collaboration with the commission.

Mr Amupitan said the commission would distribute newly produced PVCs to Local Government Area (LGA) collection centres nationwide for eligible voters to collect.

The announcement followed the conclusion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with the total number of registered voters now over 103 million.

According to the chairman, INEC has also completed the final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup of the voters’ register.

“Following the conclusion of our three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which captured over 10.6 million new applicants, our Voter Register Department has completed the final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup. Nigeria’s National Register of Voters is now over 103 million,” he said.

Printable PVCs

Mr Amupitan said the commission introduced printable PVC technology to reduce the waiting period associated with producing and collecting voters’ cards.

He said the technology was introduced during the third phase of the CVR in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.

The technology, he said, would also ensure that voters who lose or have their cards stolen can obtain replacements without waiting for months.

The chairman said the preliminary display of the voters’ register for claims and objections had been scheduled for 9 to 15 October.

He urged eligible voters to participate in the verification process and ensure that their details are correctly captured in the register.

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10.7 million new registrants

INEC said the three-phase CVR attracted 10,772,421 new registrants.

The first phase, conducted from 25 August to 10 December 2025, registered 2,611,266 voters.

The second phase, which ran from 5 January to 17 April 2026, registered 4,121,835 voters, while the third phase, conducted from 11 May to 26 July 2026, registered 3,867,997 voters.

INEC said the completed registration exercise pushed the National Register of Voters to more than 103 million ahead of the 2027 elections.