Get ready to vote

Registration is closed — now get ready to collect your PVC

Voter registration for the 2027 elections has ended. If you registered, transferred, or applied to replace your PVC, the next step is collecting your Permanent Voter Card. Here's how to be ready.

PVC collection is open at your LGA office. INEC has announced that collection is now at your Local Government (LGA) office. Earlier in October it was at ward points, close to home; it moved to LGA offices from 16 October, which is farther for most. You don't lose your card, and collection continues — so there's no "collect or lose your vote" deadline. It's free, in person, and no one can collect it for you. Dates and your exact point can vary by state, so confirm yours at the INEC portal or your local INEC office.

Step 1 — Find and protect your slip

Your application slip is what you'll take to collect your PVC. What you need depends on how you completed your process:

I completed it online (registration, transfer, or PVC replacement)

Print your application slip. After finishing online, you were given a slip (or a confirmation you can download). Print it out and keep it safe — you'll need it to collect your PVC.

If you can, also save a copy on your phone and take a clear photo of the printout, so you have a backup if the paper is lost or fades.

I completed it at an INEC office

Keep the slip you were given safe — and photograph it now. These slips are often printed on paper that fades over time, and a faded slip can be hard to read when you go to collect.

Take a clear photo of it today, while it's still readable, and keep the photo somewhere you won't lose it.

I can't find my slip / it's missing

Don't worry — you can still be helped. Visit your nearest INEC office and explain that you completed your registration (or transfer, or PVC replacement) but no longer have your slip. They can advise you on how to proceed and collect your PVC.

If you have any record of your application — a photo, a reference number, an email or SMS — bring it along, as it may help them find you faster.

Step 2 — Know where and when to collect

Your PVC is at your LGA office.

INEC has announced that collection is now at your Local Government (LGA) office. Earlier in October it was at ward points, close to home; it moved to LGA offices from 16 October, which is farther for most people. You don't lose your card, and collection continues — so there's no "collect or lose your vote" deadline.

Collect in person, around 9am–3pm — it's free, no proxy, no payment. Bring your application slip and a valid ID. Go early in the day, as some centres get busy or close before 3. Dates, hours and your exact point can vary by state — confirm yours at the INEC portal or your local INEC office.

Who can collect now: anyone who registered, transferred or replaced a card recently, or updated their details in 2025 — and anyone who registered in a past exercise and never collected their card. Already holding a valid PVC you didn't change? It still works. Check it's ready first so you don't travel for nothing: Check if your PVC is ready →

While you're there: check your name and details.

If your name or details look wrong, only INEC can correct them — check your status at the INEC portal, or raise it at your local INEC (LGA) office. Catching a mistake now is far easier than on election day.

Having a problem?

If you can't collect your PVC, or there's an issue with your slip, let us know here — we'll help, and it helps us see where collection is getting stuck.

What did each registration process involve? (reference)

Registration has closed, but here's what each process involved — kept for reference.

I've never registered before

You're a new voter. Here's your route.

First, check the polling unit closest to your home. Check your polling unit →

Do you have your NIN (National Identification Number)? Pick your path:

Yes — I have my NIN (register online, on your phone)

You can complete your registration from your phone. First, have these ready:

Your NIN.
A phone number that can receive an OTP (a one-time code by SMS).
A few minutes to take a clear photo of your face.
On Android, you'll download the INEC CVR app for the fingerprint step. On iPhone, the app isn't available — choose "Use Your Browser to Continue" instead, and carry on in the browser.

Then, on the INEC portal:

Select "Register online", then Start now.
Verify your NIN. Enter your NIN first — the portal uses it to confirm your identity, so make sure it's correct.
Enter your details — name, gender, date of birth, and a phone number that can receive an OTP. Complete the "I'm not a robot" check and continue.
Take your photo — a clear photo of your face, on the portal.
Do your biometrics. On Android, download the INEC CVR app when prompted. On iPhone, choose "Use Your Browser to Continue" (just below "Click Here to Open the INEC CVR") and continue in the browser.
Capture your fingerprints on the app.
Submit your registration.

That's it — you've registered from your phone. You'll still collect your PVC in person when it's ready.

Remember, you can report any problem you face here, or reach out to us on WhatsApp.

On the INEC portal, you would create an account, log in, and select "Register online".

No — I don't have a NIN yet (pre-registration)

Without a NIN you can only pre-register online, then finish in person.

On the INEC portal, select "Pre-registration".
Fill in your details to start your application.
Book a biometrics appointment at your nearest INEC office to complete it — your photo and fingerprints are captured there.

Remember, you can report any problem you face here, or reach out to us on WhatsApp.

On the INEC portal, you would create an account, log in, and select "Pre-registration".

I've registered before

First confirm you're on the register and your details are right, then pick your situation.

Check that you're on the voters register. Check the register →

I'm not on the register
Treat it like a first-time registration.
Go to "I've never registered before" →

I'm on the register
Good — next, check your details are correct.
Are your details (name, date of birth, and so on) correct?

Yes, they're correct
Pick your situation below.
Choose your situation →

No, something's wrong
Update your details first and wait until the change is confirmed, then pick your situation below.

What best describes your situation?

I registered before but never got my PVC

On the INEC portal, select Replace a lost or damaged PVC. As you fill in the application:

When asked to upload two documents, you can skip this.
When asked to upload two photos, you can take these on your phone.
You don't need to schedule biometrics — just submit your application.
Remember, you can report any problem you face here, or reach out to us on WhatsApp.

On the INEC portal, you would log in and select Replace a lost or damaged PVC.

I've moved to a new home address

On the INEC portal, select Transfer request. As you fill in the application:

When asked to upload two documents, you can skip this.
When asked to upload two photos, you can take these on your phone.
You don't need to schedule biometrics — just submit your application.
Remember, you can report any problem you face here, or reach out to us on WhatsApp.

On the INEC portal, you would log in and select Transfer request.

I never got my PVC and I've moved

On the INEC portal, select Transfer request. As you fill in the application:

When asked to upload two documents, you can skip this.
When asked to upload two photos, you can take these on your phone.
You don't need to schedule biometrics — just submit your application.
Remember, you can report any problem you face here, or reach out to us on WhatsApp.

On the INEC portal, you would log in and select Transfer request.

I lost my PVC, or it was stolen

On the INEC portal, select Replace a lost or damaged PVC. As you fill in the application:

When asked to upload two documents, you can skip this.
When asked to upload two photos, you can take these on your phone.
You don't need to schedule biometrics — just submit your application.
Remember, you can report any problem you face here, or reach out to us on WhatsApp.

On the INEC portal, you would log in and select Replace a lost or damaged PVC.

My PVC is damaged

On the INEC portal, select Replace a lost or damaged PVC. As you fill in the application:

When asked to upload two documents, upload a clear photo of your damaged PVC.
When asked to upload two photos, you can take these on your phone.
You don't need to schedule biometrics — just submit your application.
Remember, you can report any problem you face here, or reach out to us on WhatsApp.

On the INEC portal, you would log in and select Replace a lost or damaged PVC.

I lost my PVC and I've moved

On the INEC portal, select Transfer request. As you fill in the application:

When asked to upload two documents, you can skip this.
When asked to upload two photos, you can take these on your phone.
You don't need to schedule biometrics — just submit your application.
Remember, you can report any problem you face here, or reach out to us on WhatsApp.

On the INEC portal, you would log in and select Transfer request.

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