The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the current Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise applies exclusively to residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.
In a statement issued ahead of the polls, INEC said the in-person PVC collection, which began on January 22, 2026, is intended to enable eligible voters in the FCT to obtain their cards at their respective ward registration points between January 22 and January 26. It emphasised that the exercise currently does not cover other states, and that schedules for PVC collection elsewhere have not been determined.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT confirmed the availability of cards for newly registered voters, transfers and replacements, and noted that collection will continue after the initial period at INEC Area Council offices within the territory.
The clarification follows an earlier announcement that the revised register for the Area Council election comprises about 1.68 million registered voters, reflecting population growth and recent continuous registration updates.
INEC’s move aims to ensure orderly voter participation and reduce confusion by setting clear parameters around the distribution process. The elections will fill six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats across the FCT’s six Area Councils, with preparations underway in logistics, security coordination and voter education.
