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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately publish a clear nationwide timetable for the production, distribution and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party said millions of Nigerians who participated in the voter registration exercise deserve clarity on when and where they would be able to collect their PVCs.
The call was made in a statement signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
The party expressed concern that administrative delays could prevent registered voters from obtaining their cards and ultimately participating in the election, particularly amid concerns over PVC access in some parts of the Northwest.
The ADC said registering Nigerians without ensuring that they can access their PVCs amounts to disenfranchisement.
“You cannot register Nigerians to vote and then make them run from office to office searching for the card that enables them to exercise that right. Registration without access to a PVC is disenfranchisement by another route,” the party said.
It urged INEC to provide state-by-state information showing the number of newly registered voters, PVCs produced, cards already distributed, outstanding cards and designated collection centres.
The party also asked the electoral commission to strengthen its public information campaigns and decentralise PVC collection where possible.
According to the ADC, distance, bureaucratic procedures and inadequate communication should not prevent eligible voters from obtaining their cards.
“With the general election approaching, Nigerians should not be left wondering whether their cards will arrive in time. This is not a logistical footnote. It goes to the heart of the credibility of the election itself,” the party said.
The ADC said it would deploy its structures across the country to monitor PVC distribution and document complaints from registered voters who encounter difficulties obtaining their cards.
The party urged INEC to address the issue before the election period rather than waiting until the last minute.
“We do not want an election-eve scramble, excuses or emergency promises. INEC has the opportunity to resolve this matter now, transparently and comprehensively,” it said.
The ADC further warned that every PVC that remains unnecessarily unavailable could prevent a registered citizen from exercising their constitutional right to vote.
“Every PVC that remains unnecessarily unavailable represents a citizen whose constitutional voice is at risk of being silenced. That must not be allowed to happen,” the party said.
