INEC began the physical phase of Continuous Voter Registration nationwide on Monday. This phase, following online pre-registration that started on August 18, 2025, collects biometric data from new applicants and finalises registration for those who registered digitally. Officials confirmed that at least 5,965,451 Permanent Voter Cards are uncollected in Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.
INEC began the physical phase of Continuous Voter Registration nationwide on Monday. This phase, following online pre-registration that started on August 18, 2025, collects biometric data from new applicants and finalises registration for those who registered digitally.
Officials confirmed that at least 5,965,451 Permanent Voter Cards are uncollected in Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT. new applicants and finalises registration for those who registered digitally.
According to figures released on the commission’s website and confirmed by officials, no fewer than 5,965,451 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The data indicate differences among states, with Lagos recording 845,225 unclaimed PVCs, Oyo at 515,254, Ogun at 410,281, and Ondo at 295,856. Additional states with large numbers are Osun (360,794), Kano (327,177), Rivers (251,418), and Delta (232,183).
In the North-East, uncollected PVCs are: Adamawa 225,916; Borno 66,072; Gombe 40,840; Taraba 197,049; Yobe 47,295. In the South-East: Abia 171,626; Anambra 31,690; Ebonyi 45,851; Enugu 117,404; Imo 101,003.
Other states report the following figures: Bauchi 37,169; Bayelsa 39,249; Benue 170,586; Cross River 93,667; Edo 101,617; Ekiti 29,595; Jigawa 52,933; Kaduna 170,735; Katsina 55,274; Kebbi 51,870; Kogi 99,494; Kwara 158,653; Nasarawa 51,495; Niger 64,616; Plateau 101,995; Sokoto 74,091; Zamfara 76,815. The FCT has 93,868 uncollected cards.
The Commission clarified that the exercise applies to both new registrants and those who have not collected their PVCs from prior cycles. Citizens can also transfer voter registration or request replacements for lost or damaged PVCs.
INEC stated that CVR will be held at 811 locations nationwide, including all LGA and State offices, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. Only Nigerian citizens aged 18+ who have not previously registered can participate.
The commission further urged citizens to seize the opportunity to complete their registration and collect their cards ahead of the 2025 general elections, stressing that without a PVC, no eligible voter would be able to participate in the electoral process.
