How to get your PVC before the 2027 General Elections: A step-by-step guide
The 2027 general elections are closer than most Nigerians think. Presidential, gubernatorial, and state assembly elections will all require one document for you to participate: your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). Without it, you cannot vote and there are no exceptions.
The good news is that INEC’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise runs from August 18 2025, to August 30 2026, giving you a window to get registered, update your details, or collect a card you’ve been sitting on for years.
Your Permanent Voter’s Card is your ticket to 2027. Here’s exactly what you need to do — and what nobody tells you. The question is whether you act before that window closes.
Who Can Register
Before you begin, make sure you qualify. To register, you must be a Nigerian citizen resident in the country, must be 18 years or older, and must be able to present yourself to registration officials in person. You must not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote under any law in Nigeria.
The CVR is not only for first-timers. Existing registered voters can also use it to update their personal details or transfer their voter records to a new location, and registered voters who have yet to collect their PVCs can do so at designated collection centres.
Step 1: Pre-Register Online
The fastest way to start is online — and it saves you significant time at the physical centre.
Go to cvr.inecnigeria.org and click “Get Started”. First-time registrants should choose “New Voter Pre-Registration.” A valid email address is essential for online pre-registration to receive activation links and updates. You will also need access to a device with a camera for capturing your photo, and internet access.
INEC’s online procedure allows prospective voters to enter their information and schedule appointments before completing biometrics in person. Once you submit the form, you will receive a registration slip. Print it out or save it to your phone — you’ll need it at the centre.
If you don’t have reliable internet access, you can skip this step and go directly to a centre. But pre-registering first is strongly advised.
Step 2: Locate Your Nearest INEC Centre
Citizens can complete their registration at any INEC State or LGA office. You can also use the CVR Live Locator at locator.inecnigeria.org to find the nearest designated centre.
Registration centres are open 9 am–3 pm on weekdays only. Don’t show up on a Saturday expecting to register because you’ll be turned back.
Step 3: Complete Your Biometric Capture
This is the step you cannot do online. At the centre, your biometrics, fingerprints, and photograph will be captured. This is compulsory. Present your printed or digital registration slip to the officials, and they will verify your details before proceeding.
After the biometric process, you will receive a Temporary Voter’s Card (TVC) on the spot — this serves as proof of registration until your PVC is ready.
Keep the TVC safe. It is the document you will exchange for your PVC.
Step 4: Wait for the Official Collection Announcement
This is where many Nigerians make a costly mistake: they assume their PVC is ready and show up at a centre only to be turned away.
PVCs are not issued immediately after registration. INEC will officially announce when the cards are ready for collection. Do not assume your card is ready until there is an official announcement.
As of today, for states outside the Federal Capital Territory, the dates for PVC collection have not yet been fixed by the Commission. Once the schedule is finalised, it will be officially announced on all INEC platforms.
Follow INEC’s verified accounts on X (@inecnigeria) and check inecnigeria.org regularly. Do not rely on WhatsApp forwards or unofficial accounts.
Step 5: Collect Your PVC in Person
When INEC announces that collection is open in your state, return to the centre where your biometrics were captured.
You need to present your Temporary Voter’s Card to INEC officials to collect your PVC. And there is one non-negotiable rule: collection by proxy is not allowed. You must collect your PVC in person. No sending a family member. No exceptions.
Already Registered? Here’s What Else You Can Do
Transfer your registration: If you’ve moved to a new local government area or state and want to vote where you now live, you can transfer your registration. You must apply well before 90 days to the date of an election — no transfer can be entertained or granted less than 90 days before an election. You can initiate a transfer online at cvr.inecnigeria.org.
Check your registration status: To verify your voter registration status, visit the INEC voter portal and search with your Voter Identification Number (VIN) or your name and date of birth.
Lost or damaged PVC: The INEC portal also allows you to replace your damaged or lost PVC. INEC CVR Portal: Select the appropriate option when you log in.
One Warning INEC Wants You to Take Seriously
INEC warns that multiple registrations are not permitted, and that attempts to register more than once may lead to invalidation. If you registered years ago and cannot find your card, the correct move is to apply for a replacement — not to register again.
The Deadline
CVR registration ends on August 30, 2026. Any Nigerian who does not complete both online and physical registration before that date will be ineligible to vote in 2027. That is less than five months away.
Start today at cvr.inecnigeria.org.
Neusroom will update this article as INEC announces PVC collection dates for individual states.
