INEC: 116,745 Newly Registered Voters Yet to Collect PVCs in Lagos Ahead of 2027 Elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that 116,745 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) belonging to newly registered voters in Lagos State remain uncollected, raising concerns about voter participation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Lagos State, Adenike Tadese, revealed the figures during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, November 6, 2026.

According to Tadese, the commission received 177,295 PVCs for eligible residents who participated in the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise conducted in 2025.

However, the commission’s weekly update as of Monday indicated that only 60,550 cards had been collected by their owners, leaving 116,745 awaiting collection.

The outstanding cards represent a substantial number of registered voters who could face difficulties participating in the forthcoming elections if they fail to complete the collection process.

INEC Directs Voters to Collect PVCs at Local Government Offices

Tadese explained that the uncollected PVCs are available at INEC offices across the 20 local government areas of Lagos State.

She emphasised that collection must be done personally by the registered owners, ruling out collection through representatives or proxies.

She urged eligible voters to visit their designated INEC local government offices to retrieve their cards, stressing the importance of completing the process before the collection window closes ahead of the 2027 elections.

The administrative secretary also called on political parties, community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns, particularly among previous registrants and individuals captured during the 2025 registration exercise.

2026 Registrants Await PVC Collection

The INEC official further disclosed that PVCs belonging to eligible residents who registered during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercise would soon be made available for collection.

She encouraged registered voters to remain orderly during the collection process and cooperate with electoral officials.

Tadese also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections in Lagos State, while urging political actors and other stakeholders to respect electoral regulations and promote peaceful political activities.

Voter Participation Remains a Major Electoral Concern

The development highlights the importance of translating voter registration into actual electoral participation as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Lagos remains one of the country’s most politically significant states, with a large voting population and considerable influence on national electoral outcomes.

INEC’s ongoing PVC distribution and voter mobilisation efforts will therefore be important in ensuring that eligible citizens are adequately prepared to participate in the democratic process.

Although voter registration provides the foundation for electoral participation, the collection of PVCs remains a critical requirement under Nigeria’s existing voting arrangements.

The 116,745 outstanding cards consequently present an important mobilisation challenge for INEC, political parties and civil society organisations as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.

Ultimately, ensuring that eligible voters collect their cards on time will be essential to strengthening electoral inclusion and encouraging broader participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.