By Opeyemi Adelakun
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately publish a clear nationwide timetable for the production, distribution and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The party warned that administrative delays in the distribution of PVCs, particularly concerns over delays in parts of the North-West, must not disenfranchise Nigerians who successfully registered to vote.
The ADC made the call in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
The party said millions of newly registered voters deserved clear information on when and where their PVCs would be available ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the ADC, completing voter registration without providing registered voters with access to their PVCs amounts to disenfranchisement.
“You cannot register Nigerians to vote and then make them run from office to office searching for the card that enables them to exercise that right. Registration without access to a PVC is disenfranchisement by another route,” the party said.
The ADC urged INEC to publish, on a state-by-state basis, the number of newly registered voters, PVCs produced and distributed, outstanding cards and designated collection centres.
It also called on the electoral commission to intensify public awareness campaigns and decentralise PVC collection where practicable to reduce the challenges posed by distance, bureaucracy and poor communication.
The party said Nigerians should not be left uncertain about whether they would receive their PVCs before the elections.
“With the general election approaching, Nigerians should not be left wondering whether their cards will arrive in time. This is not a logistical footnote. It goes to the heart of the credibility of the election itself,” it said.
The ADC further disclosed that it would mobilise its structures nationwide to monitor PVC distribution and document complaints from registered voters who are unable to obtain their cards.
It urged INEC to address the situation before the election period, rather than resorting to last-minute measures.
“We do not want an election-eve scramble, excuses or emergency promises. INEC has the opportunity to resolve this matter now, transparently and comprehensively,” the party said.
The ADC warned that every PVC that remains unnecessarily unavailable could prevent an eligible citizen from exercising their constitutional right to vote.
“Every PVC that remains unnecessarily unavailable represents a citizen whose constitutional voice is at risk of being silenced. That must not be allowed to happen,” it added.
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