2027: INEC Displays Voter Register, Begins PVC Distribution

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the display of the preliminary register of voters and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as part of preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The seven-day exercise began on Friday, October 9, and will run until Thursday, October 15, 2026, allowing registered voters to verify their information, submit claims or objections and collect their cards.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced the nationwide PVC collection exercise earlier this week. He said the commission had completed the final biometric verification of the national voter register following the conclusion of its three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

According to the commission, Nigeria now has more than 103 million registered voters, following the addition of over 10.7 million new registrants during the exercise.

In Plateau State, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Sam Egwu, said the preliminary register would be displayed at all 207 Registration Area centres between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily during the exercise.

Registered voters have been urged to check their names, photographs, dates of birth and polling-unit details carefully and submit any necessary claims or objections within the stipulated period.

The PVCs available for collection during this phase are those associated with the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, conducted between August and December 2025.

INEC officials in Sokoto State also confirmed that the display of the preliminary register and PVC distribution would take place from October 9 to 15. The commission said cards relating to later registration phases, transfers, updates and replacements for lost or damaged cards were not yet available for collection.

After the seven-day exercise, PVC collection will continue at INEC offices in local government areas, enabling eligible voters who cannot collect their cards at ward-level centres to do so later.

INEC has encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of the exercise to ensure that their registration information is accurate ahead of the elections.

The commission has also introduced printable PVC technology to reduce delays in producing cards and make replacement easier for voters whose cards are lost or stolen.

The exercise forms part of preparations for the 2027 general elections and is intended to improve the accuracy of the voter register and ensure eligible citizens can participate in the electoral process.