The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Taraba State has disclosed that 29,314 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected across the state, a figure that raises significant concerns about voter participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sa’ad Idris, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Taraba State, made the revelation on Monday during a crucial stakeholders’ meeting held in Jalingo. The gathering focused on election preparedness, PVC distribution strategies, and fostering collaboration among key players to ensure a smooth electoral process.
The substantial number of uncollected PVCs indicates a potential for a significant portion of registered voters to be disenfranchised, directly impacting the integrity and inclusiveness of the forthcoming elections. The REC underscored the critical importance of these cards as the sole instrument for exercising voting rights.
The meeting, attended by political party representatives, civil society organisations, security agencies, and other stakeholders, aimed to address logistical and awareness challenges surrounding PVC collection. Idris’s statement serves as a renewed call to action for citizens to retrieve their cards and prepare for active participation in the democratic process.
Across Nigeria, the issue of uncollected PVCs has been a recurring challenge in past election cycles. Millions of PVCs have historically remained uncollected nationwide, often attributed to factors such as voter apathy, logistical hurdles in distribution, changes in residential addresses, and insufficient public awareness campaigns. In the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, INEC reported that over six million PVCs were still uncollected across the country, highlighting a persistent problem that the commission continues to grapple with.
For Taraba State, a North-Eastern state with diverse demographics, ensuring maximum voter participation is crucial for legitimate representation and robust governance. The uncollected cards represent a considerable number of citizens whose voices could be absent from the ballot boxes, potentially altering electoral outcomes and undermining the democratic mandate.
INEC officials and stakeholders at the Jalingo meeting emphasised the need for intensified public enlightenment campaigns. These efforts are expected to leverage community leaders, traditional institutions, and local media to reach unreached populations, encouraging them to collect their PVCs at designated INEC offices across the state. The commission reiterated its commitment to making the collection process as accessible as possible.
The call for PVC collection is a critical step in the ongoing preparations for the 2027 elections. The electoral body aims to mitigate challenges that could hinder voter access and participation, ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to cast their vote. The onus now falls on the citizens of Taraba State to respond to this urgent appeal and secure their voting cards before the window closes.
The commission’s ongoing engagement with stakeholders, as exemplified by the meeting in Jalingo, is part of a broader strategy to foster transparency and collaboration ahead of the polls. However, the ultimate success of these efforts hinges on the active participation of the electorate in collecting their permanent voter cards.
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