The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over 41,656 unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across Yobe.
Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), disclosed this at a news conference in Damaturu on Tuesday.
He said that of the 42,756 PVCs brought forward from previous electoral processes in the state, only 1,100 had been collected since the resumption of the current exercise on Aug. 18, 2025.
Abdullahi therefore appealed to the owners of the PVCs to collect them at INEC offices across the 17 local government areas of the state.
The REC announced the approval for Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to be conducted at Residential Areas (RAs) or wards across the state for 50 days.
He said the approval became pertinent after a review of phase one of the CVR revealed low turnout of registrants at some centres due to numerous challenges.
Abdullahi listed the challenges as seasonal farming activities, insecurity, difficult terrain, and disproportionate turnout among registrants.
“The Commission has approved the devolution of the registration exercise to RA (ward) level by taking the IVEDS among the RAs for the period of 50 days with effect from 2nd February, 2026, to 10th April, 2026.
“The last week of the 50 days will be done at the local government offices of the Commission,” the REC said.
He urged stakeholders to educate citizens on the importance of registering and voting in the 2027 general elections, encouraging them to take ownership of the electoral process.
Abdullahi, however, cautioned members of the public against the activities of fraudsters, saying the Commission won’t charge fees for registration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Commission resumed voter registration exercises ahead of the 2027 general election on Aug. 18, 2025.
The exercise was structured in three phases: Phase 1 ended on Dec. 21, 2025, with the display of the preliminary voters’ register for claims and objections.
The ongoing second phase resumed on Jan. 5.
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