2027: ACJHR Hails INEC Over PVC Distribution, Urges Nigerians To Collect Cards

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

The organisation specifically praised INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, for what it described as efforts to ensure that eligible Nigerians receive their voter cards in good time to participate in the elections.

INEC is scheduled to commence the collection of newly printed PVCs on October 9, 2026.

In Oyo State, the commission said the exercise would begin on Friday, October 9, across its 33 Local Government Area offices in the state.

The collection will take place between 9:00am and 3:00pm daily, excluding weekends and public holidays.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, the exercise covers newly registered voters, those who transferred their polling units and voters seeking replacement for PVCs that were lost or damaged during the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

He added that PVC collection must be done personally and would not be permitted by proxy.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Abubakar Musa, ACJHR described the commencement of the distribution as a significant step towards improving citizens’ participation in the electoral process.

The organisation said Amupitan’s leadership of INEC had placed greater emphasis on voter access, operational readiness and public participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

It urged the electoral commission to maintain the pace by ensuring that the collection exercise is transparent, accessible and orderly, while eliminating avoidable challenges that could discourage eligible voters.

ACJHR also appealed to Nigerians who registered during the recent CVR exercise, transferred their polling units or need replacement cards to use the designated collection period to obtain their PVCs.

“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.