ACJHR Commends INEC Over Timely PVC Distribution Ahead 2027 Elections

The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights, ACJHR, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over its plans to commence the distribution of newly printed Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The organisation particularly praised the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, for measures it said would ensure that eligible Nigerians receive their voter cards in good time to participate in the elections.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Abubakar Musa, ACJHR said the commencement of PVC collection from October 9, 2026, represented an important step towards strengthening citizens’ participation in the democratic process.

The organisation said the timely distribution of the cards would help remove avoidable obstacles that could prevent eligible voters from participating in the elections.

In Oyo State, INEC has announced that the distribution of newly printed PVCs will begin on Friday, October 9, 2026, at all 33 INEC Local Government Area offices across the state.

The exercise is scheduled to hold from 9:00am to 3:00pm daily, excluding weekends and public holidays.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, the collection is targeted at newly registered voters, those who recently transferred their polling units and voters whose PVCs were lost or damaged during the last Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise.

The commission also stated that PVCs must be collected personally and would not be released through proxies.

Reacting to the development, ACJHR described the commencement of the collection exercise as evidence of INEC’s increasing focus on voter access, operational preparedness and public participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

The organisation urged the electoral commission to sustain the momentum by ensuring that the PVC distribution process remains transparent, accessible and orderly, while avoiding unnecessary bottlenecks.

It also called on Nigerians who participated in the recent CVR exercise, transferred their polling units or require replacement cards because their PVCs were lost or damaged to make use of the collection window.

ACJHR further urged eligible voters to collect their cards early rather than waiting until the election period draws closer.

“Democracy is strengthened when citizens do not only demand good governance but also actively participate in the processes through which leaders are chosen. The PVC remains an important instrument for exercising the constitutional right to vote.

“We therefore encourage every eligible Nigerian who has registered and is entitled to collect a PVC to do so. Citizens should not wait until the last minute before collecting their cards,” the statement said.