Hit a snag checking your status or collecting your PVC?
You're not the first. We've gathered the problems people run into most — with the status check, finding their polling unit, and PVC collection — and what has worked for others.
The portal won't load, or says "Request blocked"
Why this may be happening
This is usually a busy period — a lot of people trying to use the portal at the same time. It isn't your network or your details, and refreshing over and over tends to make it worse.
What you can try
Try again outside the busiest hours — before 9am or after 3pm has worked for many people. Close the page, wait a while, then come back rather than tapping refresh. If you are outside Nigeria, see the next issue below.
I'm outside Nigeria and the portal won't open
Why this may be happening
Access to the portal is currently limited to people inside Nigeria, so it won't open from abroad no matter how good your connection is. Nothing is wrong with your device.
What you can try
Ask someone you trust in Nigeria — a friend or family member — to check your status or look up your polling unit for you. If you have your Voter Identification Number (VIN), giving them that makes the search easier.
The status check says "Not Found"
Why this may be happening
"Not Found" doesn't always mean you're not registered. The most common reasons are small mismatches in how you searched: the wrong State of Registration, a name spelt differently from how it was entered, or a date of birth in the wrong format.
What you can try
Search again, and this time pick the state where you actually registered (not where you live now if they differ). Try your surname and first name separately, and check the date format. If you have your Voter Identification Number (VIN), search by VIN instead — it's the most reliable. If it still says Not Found after all that, report it and we'll help you look into it.
My status is stuck on "Pending"
Why this may be happening
If you registered fairly recently, your details can take time to appear. New registrations aren't always synced to the check straight away — this can take 14 to 30 days. A "Pending" result usually means it's still being processed, not that anything is wrong.
What you can try
If it's been less than about a month since you registered, give it a little more time and check again. If it's been longer than 30 days and still says Pending, that's worth reporting so we can track it — tell us and we'll look into it.
The check can't find me, or shows wrong details
Why this may be happening
The check matches on exactly what's on file. If your name was entered with a different spelling, or you're searching under the wrong State of Registration, it may not find you — or may show details that look off.
What you can try
Search by VIN if you have it — it avoids spelling problems altogether. Otherwise, use the state where you registered and try different spellings of your name. If your details genuinely are wrong on the register, note that corrections can only be made by INEC — report it to us and we'll point you to the right step.
I can't find my polling unit
Why this may be happening
Your polling unit is shown when you check your voter status — it comes up alongside your registration details. If the finder won't load, it's often the same busy-portal issue that affects the rest of the site.
What you can try
Check your voter status first — your polling unit is listed there. Your Registration Area (ward) and polling unit are also printed on your PVC and your registration slip, so those are a reliable backup. You can also see your ballot and area on our own tool.
My status is OK, but my PVC isn't ready at collection
Why this may be happening
Sometimes the online check shows you're verified, but the physical card hasn't reached your collection point yet, or can't be located on the day. This isn't your fault — it's a gap between the system and the cards on the ground.
What you can try
Ask the INEC staff at the office to check under your details and your VIN, in case it's filed differently. If it genuinely isn't there, ask when to come back rather than making repeat trips blind. Either way, tell us — we're tracking where this happens so it can be raised.
The collection point turned me away, or asked for money
What you should know
Collecting your PVC is free — no one should ask you to pay for it. Collection is at the INEC Local Government office covering your polling unit, usually 9am–3pm, including weekends during collection windows. If you were turned away or asked for money, the problem is on their side, not yours.
What you can try
If you can, note the office, the date, and what happened. Don't pay. Reporting this matters even if it can't be fixed on the spot — we keep a record of where collection is going wrong so it can be raised with the right people.
Can someone else collect my PVC for me?
What you should know
No — PVC collection has to be done in person. Proxy collection isn't allowed: you can't send a friend or relative to pick it up for you, and you'll usually be asked for a valid ID when you go.
What you can try
Plan to go yourself during the collection hours (9am–3pm, including weekends during collection windows) at the LGA office for your polling unit, and bring a valid ID. If there's a genuine reason you can't attend in person, ask that office directly what options exist — rules can vary case by case.
We haven't documented that one yet. Tell us what happened and we'll look into it.