The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the large number of unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Yobe State, with a total of 41,656 PVCs yet to be collected.
At a press briefing in Damaturu on Tuesday, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), revealed that of the 42,756 PVCs brought forward from previous elections, only 1,100 have been collected since the resumption of the current exercise on August 18, 2025.
Key Points:
- Unclaimed PVCs: Abdullahi urged those who have not yet collected their PVCs to do so at INEC offices in the 17 local government areas of the state.
- Continuous Voter Registration (CVR): In response to a low turnout in some registration centers, INEC has approved that the CVR be conducted at the Residential Areas (RAs) or wards across the state for a period of 50 days, from February 2 to April 10, 2026.
- Challenges to Voter Registration: Abdullahi cited factors such as seasonal farming activities, insecurity, difficult terrain, and uneven turnout at registration centers as challenges affecting the process.
- Final Week of CVR: The last week of the registration will take place at INEC’s local government offices.
- Voter Education: Abdullahi urged stakeholders to educate the public on the importance of voter registration and participation in the 2027 general elections, emphasizing that INEC does not charge any fees for registration.
The REC further warned the public to be cautious of fraudsters, as the Commission will never charge for registration services.
