The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced Friday, October 9, 2026, as the commencement date for the nationwide collection of newly issued Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the date on Monday, September 28, 2026, in Kaduna during the Commission’s North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 General Election.
The announcement comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 polls, following the conclusion of the latest Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
According to the Commission, the three phases of the CVR exercise produced 10,772,421 new registrations, subject to biometric verification through its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
What voters should do
Registered voters are advised to verify their voter information and PVC status before going to collect their cards.
INEC’s official voter portal currently allows registered voters to check their PVC status and find their collection centre.
How to check your PVC status online
- Visit the official INEC voter portal.
- Select “Yes. Find My PVC” under the registered-voter section.
- Enter the required voter information.
- Check your PVC status and collection-centre information.
- Take note of the designated collection location before visiting.
Voters can also use INEC’s Voter Verification Service to check their registration status using their name and date of birth or their Voter Identification Number (VIN).
Important warning
Voters should rely on official INEC information for the exact location and arrangements for PVC collection in their area and avoid paying unofficial agents to obtain their cards.
INEC has also directed its officials to address bottlenecks affecting PVC distribution at the Local Government Area level, with the aim of preventing eligible voters from being disenfranchised because of logistical problems.
The Commission says it is also strengthening its election technology, result-management systems and logistics ahead of the 2027 elections.
Key date:
PVC collection begins — Friday, October 9, 2026
Registered voters are therefore encouraged to check their status ahead of the commencement date and follow INEC’s official instructions for collection.