By Gabriel Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of 128,396 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to eligible voters across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ahead of the Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.
According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the FCT, Malam Aminu Idris, the PVC collection exercise will take place from January 22 to January 26, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily. The exercise will be conducted across all 62 Registration Areas (wards) in the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Malam Idris explained that the PVCs available for collection include those of newly registered voters, voters who transferred their registration within or into the FCT, individuals who applied for replacement of lost or defaced cards, as well as PVCs from previous registration exercises that were yet to be collected.
He disclosed that the total number of registered voters in the FCT has risen to 1,680,315, representing an increase from the 1,570,307 voters recorded during the 2023 General Election.
The REC noted that INEC has recorded significant progress in its preparations for the Area Council elections. These include the monitoring of political party primaries and resolution of related disputes, publication of the final list of nominated candidates, activation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and the accreditation of observers, media organisations, polling agents, and ad-hoc election personnel.
In addition, the Commission has intensified voter education and sensitisation campaigns, published the final register of voters, and strengthened collaboration with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
INEC therefore urged all eligible voters in the FCT to promptly collect their PVCs, stressing that the Permanent Voter Card remains the only valid document for voter accreditation on election day.
