The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will commence the nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on October 9, 2026. This move is part of preparations for the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure at a strategic workshop for media executives in Abuja. The workshop was organised by INEC in collaboration with Development Alternatives Incorporated and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
The National Register of Voters has grown to over 103 million, with more than 10.6 million new applicants registered during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. INEC has completed the public display of the Preliminary Register for claims and objections and concluded the final Automated Biometric Identification System cleanup of the register. These steps are crucial as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan emphasized that the commencement of PVC collection is vital for ensuring a transparent, technology-driven, and credible electoral process. INEC is working to improve the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal. This will ensure that every valid vote counts and is seen to count. Public trust is a major factor in electoral credibility, and confidence in the process is essential for the success of the 2027 elections.
Amupitan called for stronger collaboration between INEC, media executives, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders. He urged newsrooms to establish digital fact-verification desks and pledged that INEC would provide editors with direct access to verify field incidents and security reports in real-time. A sustained editorial feedback mechanism between INEC and the Nigerian Guild of Editors was also proposed.
The Director of Voter Education and Publicity Department, Victoria Eta-Messi, warned that misinformation and disinformation contribute to declining citizen participation in elections. She urged media organisations to support INEC by ensuring accurate and timely information reaches citizens. The commission is preparing to begin nationwide PVC collection, and accurate information is crucial.
The strategic workshop had three broad objectives: rebuilding institutional trust through open dialogue, combating information disorder, and promoting shared democratic responsibility. The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said INEC aims to establish seamless 24-hour fact-verification channels between newsrooms and the commission. This will ensure that speed does not compromise accuracy.
Various stakeholders, including Dr. Akin Akingbulu of the Centre for Media and Society and Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, emphasized the importance of verifying electoral information and upholding accuracy in reporting. They urged editors to be cautious of deepfakes and unofficial results. The nationwide PVC collection exercise is set to begin on October 9, 2026.
Key points
- INEC to start PVC collection on October 9, 2026
- National Register of Voters exceeds 103 million
- INEC seeks stronger media partnership for credible 2027 elections
