The Independent National Electoral Commission has clarified that the ongoing Permanent Voter Card collection exercise currently underway applies exclusively to the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in the Territory.
INEC issued the clarification in a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday, addressing residents of other states and urging them not to rely on unverified information regarding PVC collection in their respective areas.
The clarification, according to the electoral body, formed part of its ongoing efforts to ensure transparency, accessibility, and orderly voter participation ahead of the forthcoming local elections in the FCT and future elections nationwide.
“Dear residents of other states, the current PVC collection exercise applies only to the FCT, ahead of the February 21, 2026, Area Council Election,” the commission stated.
INEC further explained that schedules for PVC collection in other states have not yet been determined, noting that “For other States, the dates for PVC collection have not yet been fixed by the Commission.”
The commission had on Tuesday announced the commencement of PVC distribution ahead of the February 21 Area Council elections in the FCT. The announcement, made through a statement on its official X handle, urged eligible voters in the Territory to take advantage of the exercise and collect their PVCs.
According to INEC, PVC collection will take place at voters’ respective Registration Areas, also known as wards, from January 22 to 26, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily.
The commission added that eligible voters who are unable to collect their PVCs at their wards within the stipulated period would be able to do so thereafter at the INEC Area Council offices across the FCT.
Area Council elections in the FCT are held to elect chairmen and councillors for the six area councils that constitute the administrative structure of Nigeria’s capital territory. These councils—Abuja Municipal Area Council, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, Abaji, and Kwali—perform functions similar to local government areas in other states.
The February 21, 2026 polls will be the latest in a series of Area Council elections conducted by INEC in the FCT. Previous elections have been marked by varying degrees of voter turnout and political competition among the major political parties active in the Territory.
Responding to apparent confusion among residents of other states regarding the scope of the current exercise, INEC emphasized that the PVC collection process announced earlier this week does not extend beyond the FCT.
The electoral body assured voters nationwide that once collection dates are finalised for other states, they would be officially announced through all INEC communication platforms.
“Once the schedule is finalised, it will be officially announced on all INEC platforms,” the statement said.
To avoid confusion and ensure proper planning, INEC called on eligible voters outside the FCT to exercise patience and await official communication.
“We urge all eligible voters in other States to wait for official communication and avoid relying on unverified information. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” the commission stated.
The Permanent Voter Card has been INEC’s primary tool for voter identification since its introduction in 2011, replacing the temporary voter cards that had been used in previous electoral cycles. The PVC contains biometric data and a unique voter identification number, designed to enhance the credibility of elections by reducing instances of multiple voting and impersonation.
However, PVC collection has consistently posed logistical challenges for INEC across election cycles. In the lead-up to the 2015 general elections, millions of Nigerians were unable to collect their cards due to delays in production and distribution, prompting the commission to extend collection deadlines multiple times.
Similar challenges recurred ahead of the 2019 and 2023 general elections, with many eligible voters unable to obtain their cards before election day despite completing registration. Civil society organizations and political parties have repeatedly called on INEC to improve its PVC distribution mechanisms to ensure higher voter participation.
The commission has in recent years decentralized collection points, making cards available at ward levels and local government offices to improve accessibility. Despite these efforts, low collection rates remain a concern, with INEC data showing that millions of registered voters have not collected their PVCs in various states across the federation.
INEC’s Thursday statement also highlighted the commission’s ongoing efforts to combat misinformation in the electoral process. The electoral body has increasingly relied on its verified social media platforms and official website to disseminate accurate information directly to the public.
The commission reiterated its commitment to keeping Nigerians adequately informed on all electoral processes, stressing that timely and accurate information remains critical to credible elections.
INEC assured that official updates on voter registration and PVC collection across the country would continue to be disseminated through its verified communication channels.
It also encouraged voters to regularly monitor INEC’s official platforms for updates, noting that reliance on unofficial sources could lead to misinformation and unnecessary confusion in the electoral process.
The rise of social media has created new challenges for election management bodies worldwide, with false or misleading information about electoral processes spreading rapidly online. INEC has in recent years established dedicated communication teams and partnerships with fact-checking organizations to counter electoral misinformation.
With the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, the current PVC collection exercise represents a critical phase in voter preparedness for the polls. INEC’s emphasis on limiting the exercise to the FCT underscores the localized nature of the upcoming elections and the commission’s focus on ensuring adequate preparation within the Territory.
For voters in other states, particularly those anticipating the 2027 general elections, INEC’s clarification means they must await separate announcements regarding PVC collection schedules in their respective states.
The commission’s call for patience and reliance on official information channels reflects broader efforts to ensure orderly electoral processes and prevent the confusion that has sometimes characterized past registration and distribution exercises.
