Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will introduce downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and expand voter registration to be completed fully online ahead of the 2027 general election. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan made the disclosures during a meeting in Abuja with the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, according to reports citing the News Agency of Nigeria.
On downloadable PVCs, INEC says the option will apply to voters who have previously collected a physical PVC and then lose it, have it defaced, or cannot read their card details. Amupitan adds that it will not be automatic and will not cover first-time registrants or people who have never obtained a physical PVC. Affected voters are expected to file a formal complaint at least 90 days before an election so the commission can process replacement.
INEC also says it is finalising technology to allow eligible citizens to complete voter registration entirely online, including registration without visiting INEC offices for physical biometric capture. It plans to pilot the downloadable PVC approach during the off-cycle Osun governorship election in August and to test the online registration technology after internal approval.
