INEC Begins Voter Register Display, PVC Distribution Ahead Of 2027 Elections

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

 

The seven-day exercise, scheduled to run from October 9 to 15, 2026, will enable registered voters to verify their details, raise claims and objections, and collect PVCs from the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) conducted between August and December 2025.

 

In Plateau and Sokoto states, the respective Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) said the exercise would take place at Registration Area centres, while PVC collection would continue at INEC offices in local government areas after the display period.

 

In a statement made available to journalists in Jos on Thursday, Plateau State REC, Prof. Sam Egwu, said the exercise was being conducted in line with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to display the voter register at least 90 days before a general election.

 

Egwu said the exercise would take place simultaneously across all 207 Registration Areas in Plateau State between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, including weekends.

 

He urged registered voters to use the opportunity to verify their personal information and make necessary claims or objections within the stipulated period.

 

“All registered voters are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to carefully check information they provided, such as their names, photographs, date of birth, polling units and other relevant registration details to make necessary claims and objections within this stipulated period, as an accurate voter register is important for free and credible elections,” he said.

 

The Plateau REC added that PVCs issued through the first phase of the CVR exercise, conducted between August 18 and December 10, 2025, would be available for collection during the exercise.

 

In Sokoto State, REC Umar Garba announced the exercise while briefing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre on the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

 

Garba said INEC was committed to ensuring that eligible voters had the opportunity to verify their registration details and collect their PVCs.

 

He, however, clarified that cards relating to lost or damaged PVCs, voter transfers, updates and registrations carried out during the second and third phases of the CVR were not yet ready for collection.

 

According to him, the commission would announce when the affected cards became available.

 

Garba said PVC distribution would continue at INEC offices across Sokoto’s 23 local government areas after the exercise at the Registration Area level ended on October 15.

 

“This will enable eligible voters who could not collect their cards at the Registration Area level to do so,” he said.

 

On security, the Sokoto REC said INEC had continued to work with security agencies throughout the voter registration process, adding that their advice contributed to a safe exercise without casualties.

 

He assured eligible voters that the commission would make efforts to ensure the distribution of PVCs across the state.

 

Garba also disclosed that INEC was engaging security agencies to determine the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sokoto State and establish how they could participate in the 2027 elections.

 

“The commission is always talking with security agencies to ascertain the number of IDPs in the state. We are working to ensure that they vote once they are in official and recognised camps,” he said.

 

The REC added that INEC would announce the total number of registered voters in Sokoto State at the appropriate time.