INEC TELLS SOKOTO VOTERS: COLLECT YOUR PVC, HAVE CONFIDENCE IN PROCESS

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced October 9, 2026, as the commencement date for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards by eligible voters in Sokoto State as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.

The commission urged registered voters who are yet to collect their cards to take advantage of the exercise and obtain the documents required for participation in the election.

INEC also called on voters to maintain confidence in the electoral process and cooperate with officials responsible for voter services.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the PVC collection exercise is part of the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections in participating states are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

WHY THE PVC MATTERS

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INEC’s current voter education guidelines state that voters must present their physical PVC for verification through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System before voting.

The commission has also provided online services through which registered voters can check their PVC status and identify collection centres.

The Sokoto announcement therefore gives eligible voters who have completed the registration process an opportunity to obtain their cards before the election period.

INEC WARNS AGAINST COMPROMISE

The latest mobilisation comes alongside wider warnings from the electoral commission to its personnel against partisan conduct, negligence and ethical breaches ahead of the 2027 elections.

INEC has repeatedly stressed the importance of neutrality and professional conduct by electoral officials.The commission’s appeal to voters to trust the process is also coming at a time when political parties and candidates are already beginning their mobilisation ahead of the 2027 contest.

ValidViewNetwork reports that voter participation in the collection exercise will be important because registration alone does not place a physical PVC in the hands of a voter, and INEC’s published voting procedure requires voters to present their PVC for verification.

The commission has consequently urged eligible voters to complete the collection process early rather than wait until the final stages of election preparations.