The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has raised concerns over the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove every administrative barrier that could prevent eligible Nigerians from voting.
The council said the success of the 2027 elections should not be measured solely by the number of Nigerians who register as voters, but by how many registered voters are eventually able to obtain their PVCs and participate in the electoral process.
Speaking in reaction to INEC’s recent briefing, ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, argued that voter registration figures would have little meaning if citizens were unable to collect their cards before election day.
According to him, INEC must ensure that the process of PVC collection is accessible, transparent and free from unnecessary delays, particularly in areas where voters may face difficulties reaching designated collection centres.
The council also called for the decentralisation of PVC collection to the ward level, longer collection hours and the use of technology to alert voters when their cards are available for collection.
The ADC-PCC further urged INEC to maintain strict political neutrality throughout the electoral process, warning that any perception that the commission is favouring the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could undermine public confidence in the 2027 elections.
Ologbondiyan said the ADC presidential candidate remained prepared for the election but would expect INEC to uphold the Constitution and Electoral Act while providing a level playing field for all political parties.
The council said it would continue to monitor INEC’s preparations and called on Nigerians and international observers to pay close attention to the commission’s handling of voter registration, PVC distribution and other aspects of the electoral process.
It maintained that every eligible Nigerian who successfully registers to vote should have a fair opportunity to collect their PVC and exercise their constitutional right on election day.
