The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the public display of the National Register of Voters, with mixed reports emerging from collection centres across several states.
The exercise, which began on Friday, October 9, 2026, is aimed at enabling eligible Nigerians to obtain their voter cards ahead of future elections, including the 2027 general elections. However, turnout on the first day was relatively low in many locations, while some centres recorded smooth operations and others experienced logistical challenges.
INEC expressed optimism that participation would increase as the exercise progresses, urging registered voters to take advantage of the opportunity rather than wait until the last minute.
According to the commission, the collection covers voters who registered during the 2025 registration exercise, those who requested transfers, applicants seeking replacements for lost or damaged cards, and individuals who updated or reviewed their voter information. PVCs left uncollected from previous registration exercises are also included.
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INEC Announces Collection Schedule
The commission announced that PVC collection at Registration Area (RA) and ward levels would run from Friday, October 9, to Thursday, October 15, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily.
From Friday, October 16, collection is scheduled to move to INEC offices at the Local Government Area (LGA) level.
During the same period, the National Register of Voters will be displayed at designated registration areas to allow members of the public to scrutinize the register and raise legitimate claims or objections concerning voter information.
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INEC urged eligible voters to confirm their details and visit their designated centres within the announced period.
Low Turnout Recorded in Several States
Reports from the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Oyo, Ondo and Ebonyi indicated relatively low turnout on the opening day of the exercise.
At Government Secondary School, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, INEC officials were present to distribute PVCs, but only a small number of registered voters turned up. An official attributed the low turnout to the fact that it was the first day of the exercise and advised residents to collect their cards early to avoid a last-minute rush.
In Benue State, the exercise commenced peacefully across monitored locations. The commission’s Public Affairs Officer, Peace Ogoyi, said arrangements had been put in place to ensure a smooth process.
Similarly, the Electoral Officer for Makurdi Local Government Area, Silas Rimdan, acknowledged the low turnout but expressed confidence that more residents would participate in the following days.
In Oyo State, INEC’s Head of Publicity Unit, Olayiwola Awolowo, also confirmed that participation was relatively low at the beginning of the exercise, adding that turnout was expected to improve during the seven-day period.
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Ondo State recorded a similar situation, with prospective voters arriving gradually at collection centres in Akure. The state’s INEC spokesperson, Yinka Ogunseye, encouraged eligible residents to visit their registration areas early and make use of the opportunity to verify their information.
In Ebonyi State, officials were present at some monitored centres in Abakaliki, although few residents came forward to inspect the displayed register and collect their cards during the observation period.
Smooth Operations in Ogun and Ekiti
While some states recorded low turnout, reports from Ogun and Ekiti indicated encouraging experiences at several collection centres.
In Abeokuta, Ogun State, prospective voters were seen presenting their voter registration slips or valid means of identification before collecting their PVCs.
One prospective voter, Abidemi Adelowo, commended INEC for organising the exercise and described the process as smooth. Another voter, Omotara Adeniyi, also praised the commission for creating awareness about the collection.
In Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, voters reported a seamless process. One registered voter, Omole Olaleye, said the exercise had proceeded smoothly since his arrival at the centre.
Another voter, Bose Adedeji, explained that officials checked her name on the register, confirmed her identity and handed over her card.
Frustration in Abia Over Absence of INEC Officials
In Umuahia, Abia State, some eligible voters expressed anger and disappointment after reportedly finding designated collection centres unattended by INEC officials.
At Ugba Primary School and School Road Primary School, Umuahia, correspondents reported that no officials were present during their visits. Some residents alleged that they had made repeated trips to the centres without successfully collecting their PVCs.
A resident of World Bank Housing Estate, Innocent Odoenelam, said he visited a collection centre after hearing a radio announcement that the cards were ready. He expressed disappointment after reportedly being told that officials had closed for the day, despite arriving before the announced 3:00 p.m. closing time.
Another prospective voter, Francis Egwuibe, said he had visited a centre early in the morning but left after waiting without seeing officials. He later returned in the afternoon, only to discover that they had departed.
Chioma Njoku, another affected voter, warned that such experiences could discourage citizens willing to participate in the electoral process.
The residents called on INEC to improve its arrangements and ensure that officials remain available throughout the announced collection hours. At the time the report was filed, the commission’s spokesperson in Abia State, Victor Abraham, had promised to make inquiries but had yet to provide a response.
Enugu, Katsina and Borno Report Progress
In Enugu State, INEC disclosed that the state had 2,213,768 registered voters eligible to participate in the ongoing exercise.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, urged eligible residents to take advantage of the opportunity to collect their PVCs and participate in the claims and objections process rather than wait until the final days.
In Katsina State, INEC announced that PVCs were being distributed across electoral wards. The commission said the exercise covered eligible registrants, including those who applied for corrections to their voter details or replacement of lost cards.
The state’s Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Abdullahi Garba Adosa, said personnel and materials had been deployed to designated centres to facilitate an orderly process. Although some centres recorded lower-than-expected turnout, the commission said there had been considerable public participation in other locations.
In Borno State, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Ibrahim Shuaibu, said the display of the register and distribution of PVCs would be carried out in phases. He expressed satisfaction with the turnout reported at centres where voters came to verify their details and obtain their cards.
Kwara Distributes 32,518 PVCs
In Kwara State, INEC disclosed that it had dispatched 32,518 Permanent Voter Cards arising from incidents and transfers across the state’s 16 local government areas.
The commission’s spokesperson in the state, Ibrahim Abdulkadir, said voters whose cards were affected by transfers or damage were expected to collect them at their respective wards within the one-week period. After that period, collection would move to the headquarters of the relevant local government areas.
A voter in Magaji Are Ward 2, Ilorin East Local Government Area, Farouk Mohammed, told Vanguard that he collected his PVC without difficulty.
He said his name appeared on the displayed list, which was arranged alphabetically, and that an INEC official handed over his card after locating his details.
Mohammed expressed readiness to participate in the forthcoming elections.
Anambra and Bayelsa Highlight Electoral Preparedness
In Anambra State, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Elizabeth Agwu, said the distribution covered eligible voters who registered during the specified registration period ahead of the state’s previous governorship election.
She urged local government chairmen to support public awareness campaigns, including the use of town criers, to ensure that residents were informed about the availability of their cards.
Agwu also called on political parties to begin preparations for the 2027 elections and warned against attempts to improperly influence electoral officials.
Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, INEC commenced PVC distribution across the state’s eight local government areas, although some prospective voters reportedly encountered difficulties locating their polling units or retrieving their cards.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Shaka, said the initial phase covered eligible voters who registered or applied to transfer their voting locations during the relevant Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
Some residents, however, reported missing names on displayed registers and difficulties identifying their assigned polling units. Others who applied for replacement cards were reportedly advised to return at a later date because their cases were not covered by the current distribution batch.
INEC Urges Eligible Voters to Act Early
As the nationwide exercise continues, INEC is urging eligible Nigerians to verify their registration details, collect their PVCs and raise any legitimate claims or objections during the designated period.
The mixed experiences recorded across the states highlight the importance of effective logistics, public awareness and the timely presence of electoral officials at designated collection centres.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, eligible voters are encouraged to confirm the location of their collection centres and visit within the announced hours to avoid unnecessary delays.
The commission’s ability to address reported challenges and sustain an accessible collection process will be important in ensuring that registered voters are prepared to exercise their democratic rights.
