The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will commence nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on Friday, October 9, 2026. This move is part of preparations for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria. INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, made the announcement at a strategic workshop for media executives in Abuja. The workshop was organized by INEC in collaboration with Development Alternatives Incorporated and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
According to INEC, Nigeria's National Register of Voters has grown to over 103 million. The commission's three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise attracted more than 10.6 million new applicants. The public display of the Preliminary Register for claims and objections has been completed. Additionally, INEC has finished the final Automated Biometric Identification System cleanup of the register. These steps are crucial as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan emphasized the importance of the PVC collection process. He stated that the commission is working to ensure a transparent, technology-driven, and credible electoral process. Amupitan highlighted INEC's commitment to improving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal. This aims to ensure that every valid vote counts and is seen to count. Public trust is a key factor in electoral credibility, Amupitan noted.
Amupitan called for a stronger partnership between INEC, media executives, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. He expressed INEC's readiness to listen to editorial concerns, address operational challenges, and provide timely information. This partnership aims to prevent misinformation from filling communication gaps. Amupitan also proposed a sustained editorial feedback mechanism between INEC and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
The Director of Voter Education and Publicity Department, Victoria Eta-Messi, identified misinformation and disinformation as major factors contributing to declining citizen participation. She urged media organizations to support INEC by ensuring accurate and timely information reaches citizens. This is particularly important as the commission prepares for the commencement of PVC collection. Eta-Messi emphasized the need for collaboration to promote credible electoral information.
The strategic workshop had three main objectives. These included rebuilding institutional trust through open dialogue and establishing a transparent two-way communication channel between INEC leadership and media gatekeepers. The second objective was to combat information disorder and strengthen fact verification. The third objective was to promote shared democratic responsibility among the media, civil society, and electoral institutions.
Various stakeholders, including Akin Akingbulu of the Centre for Media and Society and Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, emphasized the importance of accurate and balanced reporting in the electoral process. They urged editors to uphold accuracy, fairness, and public interest in electoral reporting. The stakeholders also called for stronger access to credible and timely information from INEC to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process.
Key points
- INEC to start nationwide PVC collection on October 9, 2026.
- Nigeria's National Register of Voters has grown to over 103 million.
- INEC aims to ensure a transparent, technology-driven, and credible electoral process for the 2027 general elections.
