INEC to Launch Downloadable PVCs and Online Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Chairman Joash Amupitan, is set to introduce downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and a full online voter registration system. This announcement was made during a courtesy visit from Lanr Issa Onilu, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), at INEC's headquarters in Abuja on a Wednesday.

Amupitan explained that this new technology is part of ongoing efforts to modernize Nigeria's electoral process in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The downloadable PVC option will not automatically open for every registered voter, and individuals who have lost or damaged their PVCs will need to lodge complaints at least 90 days before elections to enable INEC to process replacements.

The commission plans to pilot the downloadable PVC technology during the Osun governorship election in August. Additionally, INEC is finalizing a system that will allow eligible citizens to complete their voter registration entirely online without needing to visit INEC offices for biometric capture.