Photos: Low Turnout on Day One of INEC’s PVC Distribution

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the nationwide distribution of permanent voter cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general election.

TheCable monitored the exercise in parts of Lagos, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday, observing low turnout across the locations.

The commission had announced October 9 as the commencement date for PVC collection, urging eligible voters to obtain their cards.

Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, had also said Nigeria’s national register of voters had risen to more than 103 million following the completion of the three-phase continuous voter registration exercise.

TheCable visited INEC’s office in Karu, Abuja, where a list of PVC collection locations was displayed. The locations included Karshi, Orozo, Karu, and Nyanya.

At the LEA Primary School, opposite Karu Market in Abuja, which serves as a PVC collection centre for the Karu area, three INEC officials were on standby to attend to voters collecting their cards.

An INEC official said only cards for those who registered in 2025 were available, adding that the cards for people who registered in 2026 would be ready in two months.

TheCable also observed that two residents who came to collect their cards were told that their registration records were in Nasarawa state rather than the FCT.

In Lagos, TheCable visited Ajegunle Primary School, the collection centre for Owode Onirin, Idera, Irawo, Thomos and Ajegunle.

The distribution began at about 12:03 pm, with INEC officials attending to applicants and explaining the collection procedures.

TheCable observed that inadequate information about the requirements for collecting PVCs contributed to delays, as some applicants needed further clarification from the officials.

Low turnout was also observed at African Church Primary School, Ifako Ijaye LGA, and Adeniyi Jones primary school, Alausa Ikeja.

A few residents who registered in 2025 got their cards but those who registered in 2026 were told the cards were not ready for collection.

TheCable also visited a ward in Bodija and the state secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo state, but observed no activities.

At the Ibadan-north LGA, which houses an INEC office, security personnel said no distribution had commenced and directed the reporter to check at his ward.

Below are photos from the exercise:

LAGOS

ABUJA