INEC sets Oct 9, 2026 for nationwide PVC collection ahead of 2027 elections
INEC has announced that nationwide collection of newly issued Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will commence on October 9, 2026, in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The announcement was made by INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan during the North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting in Kaduna. The PVCs follow three phases of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) that recorded a combined 10,772,421 new registrations: 2,611,266 in phase one (Aug 25-Dec 10, 2025), 4,121,835 in phase two (Jan 5-Apr 17, 2026), and 3,867,997 in phase three (May 11-Jul 26, 2026), all subject to Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) verification.
This matters because eligible voters, especially new registrants, must collect their PVCs to participate in the 2027 elections. The Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for Saturday, February 6, 2027. With potential operational challenges in rural areas highlighted by the chairman, verifying your PVC status and collection center early is crucial to avoid last-minute issues and ensure your vote counts.
To prepare, visit INEC's official portal now to check your PVC status and locate your designated collection center. Collection begins October 9, 2026. Will you check your status today to guarantee your readiness for the 2027 polls, or risk delays by waiting until the last minute?