The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR) has expressed support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. ACJHR commended INEC's leadership under Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, for the planned distribution of newly printed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). This move is seen as a significant electoral development as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 polls. ACJHR urged eligible Nigerians to obtain their voter cards and participate in the elections.
INEC has announced that nationwide collection of newly printed PVCs will commence on October 9, 2026. In Oyo State, the exercise will take place across all 33 Local Government Area offices between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm daily, excluding weekends and public holidays. The development targets newly registered voters, persons who transferred their polling units, and voters whose PVCs were lost or damaged during the recent Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, stated that collection would be strictly personal, ruling out collection by proxy. INEC has made arrangements with security agencies to ensure the exercise remains transparent, orderly, and peaceful. ACJHR described the PVC distribution as a crucial test of voter access and institutional preparedness ahead of the 2027 elections.
ACJHR commended Amupitan, who assumed office as INEC Chairman in October 2025 after his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and confirmation by the Senate. Amupitan's mandate includes delivering free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections. ACJHR urged INEC not to allow the PVC distribution exercise to become another administrative hurdle for citizens, insisting that the process must be accessible, transparent, and free from unnecessary bottlenecks.
The group also urged political parties, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders to mobilise eligible voters to collect their PVCs. ACJHR stressed that electoral participation must go beyond campaign rallies and political rhetoric. The 2027 election would ultimately be determined by citizens who turn up to exercise their constitutional franchise, making PVC collection a critical early step in the political process.
ACJHR urged Nigerians who registered during the recent CVR, transferred their polling units, or require replacement of lost or damaged PVCs to collect their cards promptly. The organisation called on INEC to maintain public confidence by providing clear information on collection centres, enforcing uniform procedures, and promptly addressing complaints that may arise during the exercise.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, INEC has begun nationwide readiness engagements, including zonal consultations and assessments aimed at identifying operational challenges before election day.
Key points
- ACJHR supports INEC's PVC distribution ahead of 2027 elections
- PVC collection to commence on October 9, 2026
- INEC aims to deliver free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections
