The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and display of the preliminary register of voters in Sokoto State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC disclosed that it began the measure to allow eligible voters collect cards issued to newly registered voters and check their details on the preliminary register for possible corrections, claims or objections.
The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Garba, on Thursday, said that the distribution is scheduled to run from October 9 to October 15, 2026 with the activities taking place at Registration Area centres across Sokoto State, particularly in areas considered safe enough for the exercise.
Garba stated that the body’s official directory lists electoral centres across the state’s 23 local government areas, including the commission’s state headquarters on Tangaza Road in Sokoto.
He said the PVCs available for collection were those belonging to voters who registered between August 18 and December 10, 2025, during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and explained that cards linked to lost or damaged PVCs, transfers, updates and registrations from the second and third phases of the CVR were not yet available.
According to him, INEC would announce when those outstanding cards were ready for collection.
Garba added that after the Registration Area exercise ends on October 15, PVC collection would continue at INEC offices across the 23 local government areas to accommodate eligible voters who could not collect their cards at the earlier stage.
He urged registered voters to use the opportunity to verify their names and other information on the preliminary register and report any errors or omissions through the appropriate channels.
The REC said the display of the register was being conducted in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides for public display of the voters’ register before an election.
On security, Garba said INEC had continued to work with security agencies throughout the voter registration process to minimise risks and ensure the exercise proceeded safely.
He also disclosed that the commission was consulting security agencies to establish the number of internally displaced persons in Sokoto and determine how those in officially recognised camps could participate in the 2027 elections.
Garba said INEC would release the total number of registered voters in the state at the appropriate time, while urging political parties, voters and other stakeholders to cooperate with officials for a peaceful and credible electoral process.