INEC Restricts PVC Collection To Commission Offices For 2025 Voter Registration.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria has announced that eligible voters participating in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which began on 18 August 2025, must collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) exclusively from INEC offices. This directive, aimed at streamlining the electoral process ahead of off-cycle elections in Anambra, Osun, and Ekiti States, as well as the 2027 general elections, has sparked widespread discussion among Nigerians preparing to exercise their democratic rights.
The CVR, which allows new voters, those transferring their voter registration, or those replacing lost or damaged PVCs, started with an online pre-registration phase on 18 August 2025, followed by in-person registration at designated centres from 25 August 2025. According to INEC, the decision to limit PVC collection to its 37 state offices and 774 Local Government Area (LGA) offices nationwide ensures proper verification and reduces the risk of unauthorised access to voter cards. “This measure guarantees that only duly registered voters receive their PVCs, safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process,” said INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
The restriction marks a departure from previous practices, such as ward-level PVC distribution during the 2023 elections, which aimed to make collection more accessible but faced challenges like uncollected cards and logistical issues. INEC’s National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, explained that voters must visit their nearest INEC office with their Temporary Voter’s Card or other identification, such as a driving licence or National Identity Card, to collect their PVCs. The commission has also introduced an online portal feature at cvr.inecnigeria.org, allowing voters to track their PVC application status and locate designated collection centres.
Public reaction, as seen on social media platforms like X, has been mixed. Some Nigerians, including electoral advocate Obinna Egbogidi, have praised INEC’s efforts to enhance security, with one user noting, “This ensures no one can collect someone else’s card and misuse it.” However, others have expressed concerns about accessibility, particularly for rural voters who may face long journeys to reach INEC offices. A Lagos resident commented, “Not everyone can travel to an LGA office. INEC should consider mobile collection points.” The commission has responded by extending collection hours to 9 am to 5 pm daily, including weekends, and urged voters to plan ahead before the CVR closes on 10 December 2025.
INEC has also warned against multiple registrations, stating that such attempts will be detected by the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) and will result in no PVC being issued. With over 93 million registered voters recorded for the 2023 elections, and an estimated 6.7 million uncollected PVCs reported previously, INEC is keen to ensure that all eligible voters are prepared for upcoming polls. As the nation gears up for a critical electoral period, this new policy underscores INEC’s commitment to a secure and efficient voting process, while prompting calls for further measures to balance accessibility with integrity.
