INEC begins PVC distribution, voter register display

Abimbola Joseph

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun displaying the preliminary register of voters and distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Plateau and Sokoto states as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The seven-day exercise, running from October 9 to 15, 2026, will give registered voters an opportunity to verify their personal details, submit claims and objections, and collect PVCs issued during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
In Plateau State, the commission said the exercise would take place simultaneously across all 207 Registration Areas, while PVC collection would continue at INEC offices in the local government areas after the display period.
Plateau Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sam Egwu, announced the arrangements in a statement made available to journalists in Jos on Thursday.
He said the exercise was being conducted in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires INEC to display the preliminary voter register at least 90 days before a general election.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission, Plateau State, wishes to inform the good people of Plateau State that the commission will commence display of the Preliminary Register of Voters, attend to the hearing of claims and objections as well as collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) simultaneously in all the 207 Registration Areas in the state, from the 9th to 15th of October 2026,” Egwu said.
He added that the exercise would run daily, including weekends, from 9 am to 3 pm.
The REC urged registered voters to use the opportunity to check their names, photographs, dates of birth, polling units and other registration details, stressing that errors should be reported within the stipulated period.
An accurate voter register, he said, was essential to ensuring free and credible elections.
Egwu also disclosed that PVCs belonging to voters who registered during the first phase of the CVR exercise, conducted between August 18 and December 10, 2025, would be available for collection.
In Sokoto State, Resident Electoral Commissioner Umar Garba said the exercise formed part of INEC’s broader preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Garba said the commission was committed to ensuring that eligible voters could verify their registration details and obtain their cards ahead of the polls.
He announced that the display of the preliminary register, consideration of claims and objections, and distribution of PVCs would run from October 9 to 15.
However, Garba clarified that PVCs relating to lost or damaged cards, transfers, updates and registrations undertaken during the second and third phases of the CVR exercise were not yet available for collection.
He said INEC would announce when the outstanding cards were ready.
After the display exercise ends on October 15, PVC distribution will continue at INEC offices across Sokoto State’s 23 local government areas, allowing eligible voters who miss collection at Registration Area centres to obtain their cards.
On election security, Garba said the commission had taken the advice of security agencies into account throughout the recent voter registration exercise, which he described as having been completed without casualties.
He assured eligible voters that INEC would work to ensure the distribution of PVCs across the state.
The REC also disclosed that the commission was consulting security agencies to establish the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sokoto and determine how they could participate in the 2027 elections.
He said INEC was working to ensure that displaced persons living in officially recognised camps could exercise their voting rights.
Garba added that the commission would announce the total number of registered voters in Sokoto State in due course.