The collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) recorded generally low turnout across several states on the opening day of the exercise, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began distributing cards and displaying the National Register of Voters for public scrutiny ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While the process started smoothly in many locations, eligible voters in parts of Umuahia, Abia State, complained that INEC officials were absent from designated collection centres, preventing them from obtaining their cards.
The commission attributed the generally low turnout to the first day of the exercise, expressing optimism that participation would increase as the collection period progressed.
INEC said the exercise covers eligible registrants who completed registration, transfers, replacements or information updates during the relevant registration periods, alongside people who have yet to collect PVCs from previous registration exercises.
Collection at Registration Area Centres, also known as wards, is scheduled to run from October 9 to October 15, 2026, between 9am and 3pm daily. From October 16, collection is scheduled to move to INEC offices at the local government level.
The commission is also displaying the National Register of Voters during the seven-day period to allow members of the public to scrutinise their details and submit legitimate claims and objections.
FCT records thin turnout
At Government Secondary School in Area 10, Garki, Abuja, INEC officials were present to distribute PVCs, but only a small number of voters turned up.
An official at the centre attributed the low turnout to the opening day and advised eligible voters to collect their cards early rather than wait until the final days of the exercise.
Smooth commencement in parts of Benue, Ogun and the South-West
In Benue State, INEC reported a peaceful start across the state. The commission’s Public Affairs Officer, Peace Ogoyi, said measures had been put in place to ensure a smooth exercise.
Ogoyi said the display of the voter register would continue at ward-level centres until October 15, with PVC collection taking place simultaneously. Collection would subsequently move to local government offices from October 16.
Silas Rimdan, the electoral officer for Makurdi Local Government Area, also confirmed a peaceful start but acknowledged that turnout was relatively low on the first day.
In Ogun State, monitoring in Abeokuta indicated a stronger turnout at some collection centres. Voters presented registration slips or valid identification before receiving their cards, while some beneficiaries described the process as smooth.
Oyo and Ondo states also recorded relatively low turnout. INEC officials in both states expressed confidence that participation would improve over the seven-day period and urged eligible voters not to wait until the final days.
In Ekiti State, voters at a collection centre in Ado-Ekiti reported a straightforward process, with officials checking their names and confirming their identities before handing over their cards.
Abia voters complain of absent INEC officials
The most prominent complaints emerged from Umuahia, where eligible voters at some designated centres said they were unable to collect their PVCs because INEC officials were no longer present when they arrived.
At Ugba Primary School, no INEC staff were seen during a visit at about 2pm. A similar situation was observed at School Road Primary School at approximately 2:42pm, where inquiries indicated that officials who had arrived earlier had left.
Some voters said they had made repeated trips to the centres and incurred transport costs without obtaining their cards.
Innocent Odoenelam, a resident of World Bank Housing Estate, said he arrived at about 2:30pm after hearing a radio announcement that the cards were available but was told officials had closed for the day. He said he intended to return on Monday.
Another voter, Francis Egwuibe, said he arrived at a collection centre at about 8:30am but left after waiting beyond 9am without seeing officials. He returned in the afternoon but found that they had departed.
Chioma Njoku, another prospective voter, warned that such experiences could discourage eligible citizens from participating in the electoral process. The voters urged INEC to improve its arrangements and ensure officials remain at designated centres throughout the announced collection hours.
INEC’s spokesperson in Abia, Victor Abraham, said he would respond after making inquiries but had not done so by the time the report was filed.
Low activity in Ebonyi as Enugu urges voters to participate
In Ebonyi State, INEC’s Voter Education Officer, Esther Idam, said materials had been distributed from local government offices to designated wards.
However, monitoring in Abakaliki between 11am and 2pm found low activity at the centres visited. Few people checked their names on the displayed registers, while no PVC collections were observed during the monitoring period.
In Enugu State, Resident Electoral Commissioner Chukwuemeka Chukwu said the state had 2,213,768 registered voters. He urged eligible residents to collect their cards and participate in the ongoing claims and objections exercise rather than wait until the last minute.
The exercise was reported to be progressing smoothly across the state.
Katsina reports deployment of personnel
In Katsina State, INEC said it had begun distributing PVCs across electoral wards and deployed personnel and materials to designated centres.
The commission’s state spokesperson, Aliyu Abdullahi Garba Adosa, said the exercise covered eligible registrants, including those who had applied for corrections to their voter details or replacement of lost cards.
Although some centres recorded turnout below expectations, Adosa said the commission had anticipated greater participation given the public interest generated before the exercise began.
Kwara distributes 32,518 cards
INEC in Kwara State dispatched 32,518 PVCs relating to transfers and other incidents across the state’s 16 local government areas.
The commission’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Abdulkadir, said affected voters were expected to collect their cards at designated wards during the one-week exercise, after which uncollected cards would be moved to local government offices.
In Ilorin East, voter Farouk Mohammed said he found his name on the displayed register and collected his card without difficulty.
Anambra calls for awareness as Bayelsa voters report difficulties
In Anambra State, Resident Electoral Commissioner Elizabeth Agwu said the distribution covered eligible voters who registered between January and July 2025 ahead of the state’s November 2025 governorship election.
She urged local government chairmen to raise public awareness through town criers and other community channels. Agwu also criticised political parties for what she described as a lack of campaigning ahead of the 2027 elections and warned against attempts to influence electoral officials with money.
In Bayelsa State, INEC commenced distribution across the state’s eight local government areas. Resident Electoral Commissioner Shaka said the exercise included voters who registered or applied to transfer their voting locations during the relevant Continuous Voter Registration period.
However, some voters reported difficulties locating their polling units or finding their names on the displayed register. Others who had applied for replacement cards said they were asked to return the following month because their cases were not covered by the current distribution batch.
Chidi Timothy, who had transferred his voting location to Yenagoa after relocating to the state for work, said his name appeared on the register but he could not establish his assigned polling unit, making it difficult for officials to locate his card.
Borno conducts exercise in phases
In Borno State, INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Ibrahim Shuaibu, said the display of the register and PVC distribution would be conducted in phases, with timelines provided for claims and objections.
He said the exercise would extend to ward-level centres to improve access and compliance. Shuaibu expressed satisfaction with participation at the centres visited, adding that the commission was awaiting additional PVCs from its headquarters.
Voters urged to collect cards early
The first-day experience varied across the country, with some centres reporting smooth collection and others recording low turnout, missing names, difficulties identifying polling units or complaints about absent officials.
With collection at Registration Area Centres scheduled to end on October 15 before moving to local government offices the following day, eligible voters are being encouraged to visit their designated centres early, verify their details on the displayed register and raise any legitimate claims or objections within the stipulated period.
The exercise forms part of preparations for the 2027 general elections, when registered voters will need their PVCs to participate in the electoral process.
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