As preparations gradually gather momentum for the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged eligible voters in Rivers State to visit their designated registration centres and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the polls.
The commission says the ongoing exercise provides an opportunity for registered voters who are yet to collect their cards to do so, while also allowing members of the public to inspect the voters’ register and identify possible errors before the next general elections.
INEC’s Acting Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Rivers State, Robinson David, made the appeal in an interview with our reporters, explaining that the exercise covers eligible residents who participated in the 2025 Continuous Voter Registration exercise, as well as those who registered between 2011 and 2022 but have yet to collect their PVCs.
David urged affected residents to take advantage of the exercise by visiting their designated Registration Area (RA) centres with their Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) to facilitate the collection process.
According to him, the procedure requires eligible voters to present their temporary cards to the designated issuing officers, who will complete the necessary verification and documentation before handing over the PVCs.
He explained that the collection exercise is intended to ensure that registered voters obtain their cards in good time and are better prepared to participate in the 2027 general elections.
David said, “The collection points are at the Registration Area centres, where citizens who registered last year can walk in and collect their PVCs after undergoing the appropriate process. They are required to present their Temporary Voter Cards to the issuing officers, who will complete the necessary procedures before issuing the PVCs.”
He further clarified that the exercise also covers eligible voters who registered between 2011 and 2022 but have not yet collected their cards, urging them to take advantage of the opportunity.
The INEC official disclosed that the collection exercise would be relocated from the ward-level registration centres to the commission’s offices and various local government area headquarters from October 15.
He advised registered voters to take note of the change in arrangements and seek information from the commission to ensure they visit the appropriate collection points.The development is expected to provide an alternative collection arrangement for eligible voters who may not have collected their PVCs during the ongoing ward-level exercise.
Meanwhile, David has appealed to residents who participated in the second and third phases of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise in 2026 to remain patient, assuring them that the commission is processing their cards.
The INEC official explained that PVCs for those who registered between January and April 2026, as well as those who registered between May and July 2026, are still being processed and will be delivered to the designated centres once ready. He assured the affected registrants that they would be notified when their cards arrive at the collection centres.
He said, “We appreciate the patience of those who registered between January and April this year, as well as those who registered between May and July 2026. The commission is processing their PVCs, and we believe that very soon, the cards will be ready”.
“Once the PVCs arrive at the centres, we will inform the registrants accordingly. We assure everyone who registered that they will receive their PVCs before the election.”
The commission’s appeal comes as political activities are expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, making voter registration and PVC collection important steps in ensuring eligible citizens can exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Registered voters are therefore encouraged to verify their collection arrangements, present the required documents and obtain their PVCs early to avoid a last-minute rush as the elections approach.
INEC’s assurance that the cards of recent registrants are being processed is also expected to reassure residents awaiting their PVCs. With the 2027 general elections approaching, the commission’s message to eligible voters remains clear: collect your PVC early, verify your registration details and be ready to participate in the democratic process.
