INEC sets October 9 for PVC collection and warns its workers against taking sides ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has given a strong warning to all its workers across the country.
The commission told its staff that they must not take sides or support any political party as the country gets ready for the next big elections.
While giving this warning in Abuja, the chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, also announced that citizens who registered to vote can start picking up their Permanent Voter Cards, popularly known as PVCs, on October 9.
This announcement came during a meeting between the leaders of the voting body and state electoral officers. Professor Mahmood Yakubu made it clear that any worker who tries to help a particular political party win will face heavy punishment.
He stated, “We will not tolerate any form of partiality from our staff. Anyone found siding with any political party or candidate will face strict disciplinary action, including prosecution.”
The chairman explained that the main job of the commission is to make sure every election is free, fair, and clear for everyone to see.
He added, “The credibility of the 2027 general election depends heavily on the integrity of our staff. We must remain neutral and serve all Nigerians equally.”
To make sure everyone gets their voting card on time, the commission has opened many centers across all thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The collection of the PVCs will start on October 9 and run through the week so that people can go to the local government offices near their homes to pick them up.
The chairman encouraged everyone who registered to go out and get their cards early rather than waiting until the last minute.
He noted, “We have made necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth collection process. We urge registered voters to take advantage of this period to collect their PVCs, as no one will be allowed to vote without a valid card.”
To make the news even clearer and ensure people have all the facts, the commission is fixing past problems where people complained about missing cards or long queues.
See Also: FirstBank Reassures Customers on FirstMobile App Safety After Viral WhatsApp Audio
The voting body has sent extra staff and machines to communities in hard-to-reach places so that rural dwellers can also collect their cards without spending too much money on transport.
Civil rights groups are happy with the warning given to the workers, as it gives people more trust that their votes will truly count when election day comes.
The reason the commission is acting now is to avoid the problems seen in past elections, where some workers were accused of helping politicians cheat or hiding voting cards from people.
By giving this early warning and opening the card collection months ahead of time, the voting body wants every Nigerian to know that their vote is safe.
They want every citizen who is 18 years and above to have their voting card ready so they can choose their leaders without any fear or trouble.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
