INEC schedules PVC collection from October 9

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission says collection of newly issued Permanent Voter Cards will begin October 9, 2026, as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan announced the date at a staff readiness meeting in Kaduna, saying collection would be available to newly registered voters and eligible people who registered earlier but have not collected their cards. The announcement came during the commission’s Northwest zonal meeting, part of a six-zone assessment tour intended to review preparations and identify operational challenges. INEC has not yet reported that collection has started; the October 9 date is scheduled. Amupitan also warned electoral officers and senior administrators to remain neutral, follow election procedures and avoid negligence. He said officials should not favor candidates or parties, improvise outside established rules or take unofficial shortcuts. Operational problems, he said, should be raised through formal channels. His remarks emphasized the role of field personnel at local government offices, registration area centres and polling units in applying the law and maintaining public confidence.