The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the current Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise underway applies only to residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of preparations for the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections, the commission said in a statement on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
INEC’s clarification followed concerns among voters in other states about reports suggesting that their PVCs could also be collected during this period.
The commission reminded Nigerians that the distribution process is part of the FCT’s electoral timetable and is not yet applicable to other states.
Ahead of the FCT Area Council elections, INEC announced that it had commenced ward-level PVC distribution across all 62 Registration Areas (wards) of the six area councils in the territory, with cards available for eligible voters registered in those locations.
The collection period was scheduled from January 22 to January 26, 2026, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, after which voters may collect their cards at designated Area Council offices within the FCT.
Permanent Voter Cards remain the only valid document for voter accreditation under Section 47(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), and must be collected in person by the rightful owner.
In its statement shared on the commission’s official X (formerly Twitter) platform, INEC said, “Dear residents of other States, the current PVC collection exercise applies only to the FCT, ahead of the February 21, 2026 Area Council Election.”
It further noted that schedules for PVC collection in other states have not yet been fixed and urged eligible voters outside the FCT to await official announcements on their respective collection dates.
INEC emphasised that once the commission finalises dates for PVC collection in other parts of the country, official communication will be issued on all INEC platforms to ensure clarity and avoid confusion among voters.
INEC’s clarification seeks to prevent misinformation and ensure that eligible voters, particularly those outside the FCT, do not act prematurely based on unverified reports.
Clear communication on collection timelines is intended to support orderly voter participation and effective planning ahead of forthcoming elections.
As the FCT Area Council poll approaches, INEC continues to roll out activities in line with its electoral calendar. Eligible FCT voters are urged to collect their PVCs within the stipulated timeframe, while voters in other states are advised to monitor official INEC channels for announcements on PVC collection schedules as they are confirmed.
