By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded low turnout at Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection centres across several states, with applicants complaining of missing cards, delays and inadequate information ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Findings across the Federal Capital Territory and states including Kaduna, Ondo, Enugu, Niger, Oyo, Kwara, Plateau, Borno, Imo, Ekiti, Cross River, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom and Benue showed that relatively few applicants visited designated centres during the ongoing distribution exercise.
INEC began distributing PVCs on October 9 following the conclusion of its three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and a final biometric clean-up. The commission said the National Register of Voters had grown to more than 103 million.
The three registration phases produced 10,772,421 new registrations, subject to verification through the Automated Biometric Identification System.
However, while some centres reported smooth collection processes, others faced complaints about unavailable cards, late-arriving officials and confusion over designated collection points.
Abuja Applicants Complain Of Missing Cards, Conflicting Instructions
In the Federal Capital Territory, applicants reported difficulties locating their PVCs at several collection centres.
At Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, a correspondent who visited around 12:35 p.m. observed a quiet centre with officials present but no applicants waiting. An official suggested that inadequate public awareness could explain the low turnout.
At LEA Primary School in Lugbe, applicants complained of being sent between collection centres without receiving their cards.
Yusuf Ibrahim, chief executive officer and executive secretary of the Monitoring and Evaluation Initiative of Nigeria, said applicants had repeatedly visited the centre without success.
“INEC said that the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards would commence on 11 October 2026 and end on 15 October 2026. But unfortunately, this did not happen. Instead, people in my axis at Lugbe LEA Primary School keep coming for collection but to no avail,” he said.
Another applicant, Samuel Ajayi Daniel, said some voters were directed to Area 10 but subsequently told to return to Lugbe, increasing their transport expenses and causing inconvenience.
At Pottery Gate polling unit in Usafa, Bwari Area Council, nearly 50 applicants were seen queuing for their cards. However, Elizabeth Paul, who registered in May, said her PVC was not among those delivered to the Chief’s Palace collection centre.
An INEC official acknowledged that some cards listed as available could not be found and promised to report the matter to the area council office.
At the commission’s Karu office, some applicants who registered between April and July were asked to return because their cards were still being processed.
Retired civil servant Ifechukwu Amadi, who applied for a transfer in June, expressed concern over the delay, saying the election was approaching.
“The delay is worrisome, given that the election is less than four months away,” she said.
INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, and the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027.
Kaduna Has 174,000 Uncollected PVCs
In Kaduna State, INEC disclosed that 174,000 PVCs remained uncollected across the state’s 23 local government areas, even as the commission began distributing 92,422 newly received cards.
The Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Rukayatu Sani Imam, said the cards had been sorted and sent to local government offices for onward distribution to registration areas.
She explained that the current exercise covered voters registered during the first phase, while cards relating to transfers, corrections, polling-unit changes and subsequent registration phases were still being awaited.
Imam attributed the high number of uncollected cards partly to relocation by registrants, noting that some outstanding cards dated back to 2011. She urged applicants to check INEC offices in their local government areas.
Low Turnout Reported In Multiple States
Similar conditions were reported across several states, although the reasons varied.
In Ondo State, INEC’s head of voter education, publicity, gender and inclusivity, Olayinka Ogunseye, described turnout as extremely low. More than 200,000 PVCs reportedly remained uncollected across the state.
In Enugu, INEC extended collection to December 2026, with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, urging residents to collect their cards early and participate in voter-register verification.
Niger State recorded only eight collections at Umaru Audi Primary School in Tundun Wada North Ward by noon, despite more than 3,500 new registrations in the ward.
In Oyo, some applicants were asked to return in December because their cards were not ready. INEC’s publicity head, Olayiwola Awolowo, said 77,051 PVCs had been printed and distributed to 371 designated centres.
Kwara’s INEC spokesperson, AbdulKadir Bolaji Ibrahim, said the exercise had proceeded without disruption, adding that the commission was using radio programmes to encourage collection.
Plateau also recorded low turnout. An INEC official said only seven people had collected their cards at Zawan RCM Primary School since the exercise began, while six had collected theirs at the registration area centre in Girring, Jos South.
In Imo, the commission’s public relations officer, Chinenye Chijioke Osuji, said about 101,000 PVCs remained uncollected.
Ekiti officials reported fewer than 20 collections at one centre earlier in the exercise, while an official at another location said more than 1,000 cards were still awaiting collection.
In Cross River, applicants complained of delays at some centres, although INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Odaro Aisien, said the exercise had recorded no significant challenges.
Low turnout was also reported in Kebbi and Benue, while some residents in Akwa Ibom said work schedules, transport costs and difficulties locating transferred cards had affected collection.
Borno, Delta Seek Better Awareness And Access
In Borno State, residents called for stronger public awareness campaigns, particularly in rural communities.
The Assistant Electoral Officer for Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Mohammed Auwal, said 10 people collected their PVCs on the first day, more than 150 on the second day and 20 on Monday, October 12.
INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Shuaibu Ibrahim Maina, said the commission planned to use radio and television jingles, alongside local coordinators, to sensitise residents.
In Delta State, officials were directed to distribute PVCs in markets and churches, provided recipients signed the required documents.
Some voters, however, called for transparent and verifiable distribution procedures that would prevent political or community intermediaries from influencing access to cards.
Young Voters Welcome PVC Distribution In Jigawa
Unlike the low turnout reported in many locations, young voters in Jigawa State expressed excitement over receiving their PVCs ahead of the 2027 elections.
INEC said more than 33,000 cards had been delivered for people who registered between 2025 and 2026.
A 20-year-old resident of Kachi Ward in Dutse, Rabi Sani, said she was eager to cast her first vote.
Another first-time voter, Sani Ibrahim, from Katika Ward in Kiyawa Local Government Area, said he was happy to receive his card and intended to use it in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
INEC has urged eligible voters nationwide to collect their PVCs promptly to avoid being disenfranchised during the 2027 general elections.
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