INEC Criticizes Politicians Stockpiling PVCs Ahead of 2027

On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) condemned politicians who are buying and stockpiling Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), asserting that they are living in the past. Dr. Adejumo Peter, Head of INEC Voters Education and Publicity in Kwara State, stated that the amended Electoral Act 2026 has rendered such practices ineffective.

He explained that unless the PVC owner is present for verification, the card is essentially useless. He noted that politicians have turned to vote-buying due to the inability to use others' PVCs for voting.

Barrister Abdulfata Atata, Head of INEC's Legal Unit, described the amended Electoral Act 2026 as a transformative moment for Nigeria's electoral framework, which will be crucial for the upcoming 2027 general elections. He also mentioned that INEC's Kwara office prosecuted five cases of vote-buying during the last elections, securing two convictions.