2027 election: INEC sets october 9 for PVC collection

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has announced October 9 as the start date for Permanent Voter Card PVC collection ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, announced the date on Monday in Kaduna. He spoke at the Commission’s North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 General Election.

Amupitan also directed officials to identify and close operational gaps ahead of the polls.

The Kaduna meeting forms part of INEC’s six-zone assessment of its election readiness. Through the exercise, the Commission is reviewing challenges in field operations and seeking solutions before election day.

Meanwhile, Amupitan urged staff to strengthen election activities at the grassroots.

He said officials at Local Government Areas, Registration Area Centres and polling units would play a key role in the 2027 elections. These are the points where electoral officials deal directly with voters.

“The true success of any election is not decided solely in the meeting rooms of our headquarters in Abuja. It is decided in the field,” Amupitan said.

In addition, the chairman asked staff to raise practical challenges affecting election administration in their areas. He said INEC would work with its headquarters to address the issues before the polls.

Amupitan also said the Commission was applying lessons from recent elections to its preparations for 2027.

However, he warned officials against partisan conduct and administrative negligence. He stressed that electoral officers must maintain neutrality and professionalism to sustain public confidence in the process.