The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will begin on Friday, October 9, 2026, as the number of registered voters in Nigeria exceeds 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the development on Monday, October 5, during a strategic workshop with media executives in Abuja, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
According to the commission, the increase in registered voters followed the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which recorded 10,772,421 new registrations.
The announcement forms part of INEC’s preparations to strengthen voter participation, improve electoral transparency and address operational challenges ahead of the elections.
INEC Announces Nationwide PVC Collection
Amupitan said newly produced PVCs would be distributed to designated Local Government Area collection centres nationwide, allowing eligible Nigerians to obtain their cards.
The collection exercise is particularly important for people who recently registered, transferred their voting locations or applied for replacement cards.
INEC also disclosed that it had introduced printable PVC technology to reduce delays associated with producing and replacing voter cards.
The commission urged eligible voters to follow official announcements and confirm their collection centres to avoid unnecessary difficulties.
Nigeria’s Registered Voters Exceed 103 Million
INEC said the national voter register now contains more than 103 million names following the completion of its registration exercise and biometric verification process.
The exercise recorded approximately 10.7 million new registrations between August 2025 and July 2026.
To improve the credibility of the register, INEC used its Automated Bio metric Identification System (ABIS) to identify and address irregularities, including duplicate registrations.
The development reflects the scale of preparations required to manage voter accreditation and participation across the country.
INEC Strengthens Technology Ahead of 2027 Elections
The commission also announced the acquisition of 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to improve voter accreditation during the elections.
INEC said it was strengthening existing electoral technology rather than introducing entirely untested systems shortly before the polls.
Amupitan explained that the commission was working to address logistical challenges, improve operational efficiency and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
As preparations continue, the effectiveness of PVC distribution, voter education and election-day arrangements will remain critical to ensuring that eligible Nigerians can exercise their voting rights.
The commission has urged Nigerians to rely on verified electoral information and participate in the process ahead of the 2027 elections.
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