The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing challenges getting millions of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to eligible voters, with more than 14 million cards estimated to be awaiting collection across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development has raised concerns about voter participation, particularly as the commission intensifies efforts to ensure that newly registered voters and those who previously failed to collect their cards are able to participate in the forthcoming elections.

Investigations across several states indicate that although the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise attracted 10,772,421 new registrants, a significant number of produced PVCs remain uncollected.

The situation is particularly concerning in Plateau, Taraba, Jigawa, Benue and Bayelsa states, where thousands of cards are still awaiting collection.

In Plateau State, about 95,000 PVCs from previous registration exercises remain unclaimed, while Taraba has 29,314 outstanding cards and Jigawa has 33,079 cards ready for collection.

Bayelsa State also has 52,225 PVCs from the first phase of the recent registration exercise awaiting collection.

In Benue, INEC recorded 279,498 new registrants, bringing the state’s registered voter population to 3,057,225. The commission received 101,695 PVCs for the first phase of the registration and transfer exercise, while 58,581 cards were collected during the recent display of the voters’ register.

The figures also show increasing voter registration in several other states.

Zamfara recorded 313,115 additional voters, while Nasarawa’s registered voter population rose to approximately 2.1 million following the registration of 247,000 new voters.

Sokoto recorded 461,057 new registrants, bringing its total voter population to 2,633,113. Yobe also added 283,525 voters, increasing its registered population to 1,768,671.

However, the commission is yet to provide complete PVC collection figures in some states. Kano, which has 6,570,276 registered voters, is still compiling its collection statistics across the state’s 44 local government areas.

INEC officials in Borno, Bauchi and Kebbi also declined to provide updated figures, describing the information as sensitive.

In the South-West, Lagos State said its final register of voters would not be available until December 15, 2026, after the conclusion of the claims and objections exercise.

The state had 7,488,633 registered voters in the available figures, while Ogun recorded an increase of 348,703 voters, bringing its total to 3,037,008.

Ondo had 2,053,061 registered voters, with 1,771,326 PVCs collected, while Ekiti’s voter population increased to 1,055,708.

In Osun, the registered voter population stood at 2,339,233, with 1,906,390 PVCs collected as of August 2026.

Kaduna recorded the collection of 61,494 PVCs as of October 28, comprising 12,741 old cards and 48,753 newly issued cards.

The collection challenge comes against the backdrop of the 2023 general elections, when approximately 6.26 million PVCs were reportedly left uncollected.

INEC is therefore intensifying mobilisation efforts, calling on political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society organisations to encourage eligible voters to collect their cards.

The commission has also urged registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to visit designated INEC offices and collection centres in their respective local government areas.

With millions of cards still awaiting collection and some states yet to provide comprehensive statistics, the commission faces the task of ensuring that the growing number of registered voters translates into actual participation in the 2027 elections.