PVC Collection Guide
Nigeria 2026
Everything you need to know about collecting your Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in Nigeria — registration, collection centres, transfer, replacement and how to check your voter status online.
Electoral Commission
What is a PVC (Permanent Voter Card)?
A Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is the official identification document issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to registered voters in Nigeria. It serves as proof that you have been registered to vote and are eligible to participate in elections at all levels — presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly elections.
Your PVC contains your personal details including your full name, date of birth, state of origin, local government area, ward, polling unit, and a unique voter identification number (VIN). It also carries your photograph and fingerprint biometric data, which are used for authentication at polling units on election day.
How to Collect Your PVC — Step by Step
Confirm your registration status
Visit cvr.inecnigeria.org and enter your details to confirm you are registered and check whether your PVC is ready for collection. You can check by name, date of birth or phone number.
Locate your INEC Registration Area Centre (RAC)
PVCs are collected from the INEC office in your ward, not your state office. Your collection point is the Registration Area Centre (RAC) for the ward where you registered. Visit any INEC Local Government office to find out your specific collection point.
Go during official collection hours
INEC conducts PVC collection exercises at announced periods, particularly before elections. During these windows, collection centres are typically open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Check INEC's official channels for the current collection exercise window.
Bring valid identification
You must present at least one valid ID to collect your PVC. Accepted documents include: National ID card, International passport, driver's licence, staff ID or any government-issued photo ID. Your transaction slip from registration (if you have it) will speed up the process.
Biometric verification and collection
At the collection centre, a INEC official will verify your fingerprints using the biometric reader against your registration record. Once verified, your PVC will be issued to you on the spot. The entire process takes 5–15 minutes if your card is available.
Inspect your PVC before leaving
Before leaving the collection centre, check that your name, date of birth, photograph, polling unit and all other details are correct. Report any errors immediately to the INEC officer — corrections done on the spot are much easier than post-collection corrections.
Requirements for PVC Collection
Bring the following to your INEC collection centre:
New Voter Registration — How to Register
If you have not previously registered, you must complete the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise before you can get a PVC. INEC conducts CVR exercises periodically, especially in the run-up to general elections.
Documents needed for first-time registration:
- National Identity Number (NIN) — required since 2021
- Valid means of identification (passport, NIN slip, driver's licence)
- Proof of age (birth certificate, affidavit, or WAEC certificate)
- Physical presence for biometric capture (fingerprints + photograph)
After registering, INEC will capture your biometrics and print your PVC. You will be given a transaction slip with your VIN. Return to collect your PVC when INEC announces the collection window for your area.
PVC Transfer — Changing Your Polling Unit
If you have moved to a new location and want to vote there, you can transfer your voter registration to a new polling unit. This is important — you can only vote at the specific polling unit on your PVC.
| Scenario | What to do | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Moved within same LGA | Request intra-LGA transfer at INEC office | Allowed |
| Moved to different LGA, same state | Request inter-LGA transfer at INEC office | Allowed |
| Moved to different state | Request inter-state transfer at INEC office in new state | Allowed |
| Transfer during active election period | Not allowed within 30 days of election | Restricted |
Lost, Stolen or Damaged PVC — What to Do
- Write a formal report of the loss/theft to your nearest INEC office
- If stolen, also obtain a police report from your local police station
- Complete INEC's replacement form at the INEC office
- Provide biometric verification (fingerprints) to confirm your identity
- Pay the replacement fee if applicable (verify current fee at INEC)
- A replacement PVC will be printed and you will be notified for collection
For a damaged PVC, bring the damaged card with you to the INEC office. INEC will verify your biometrics and issue a replacement. Keep your PVC in a safe, dry place — a laminated or hard-cased card holder is recommended.
Check Your Voter Status Online
INEC provides an online portal to check your voter registration status, confirm your polling unit and verify whether your PVC is ready for collection.
No. PVC collection is strictly personal. You must appear in person because biometric verification (fingerprint scan) is required to confirm your identity. No proxy or third-party collection is permitted under INEC rules.
After completing the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), INEC typically prints PVCs in batches. The process can take 2 to 8 weeks depending on when the printing exercise runs in your area. INEC announces collection windows publicly. Check cvr.inecnigeria.org to confirm your PVC is ready before going to the collection centre.
No. The Electoral Act requires you to present your PVC for accreditation using the Smart Card Reader (SCR) before you can vote. Even if you are on the voters register, without physical presentation of your PVC, you cannot be accredited and will not be allowed to vote.
Yes. The PVC is an INEC-issued government document and is widely accepted as a valid form of identification in Nigeria — for banking, SIM card registration, NYSC documentation and many other official purposes. It includes your photograph, name, date of birth and biometric data.
Report the error immediately at your INEC ward office or local government office. You will need to complete a correction form and provide supporting documents to prove the correct information (birth certificate, National ID, etc.). INEC will re-issue a corrected PVC. Do not use a PVC with incorrect details on election day — it may affect your ability to be accredited.
Your polling unit is printed on your PVC. You can also check online at cvr.inecnigeria.org by entering your voter details. You must vote at your designated polling unit — you cannot vote at a different polling unit, even in the same ward.
INEC conducts Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and PVC collection exercises at various times throughout the year, with intensified exercises before elections. Visit inec.gov.ng or follow INEC on social media (@inecnigeria) for current exercise dates in your state.
Yes. You can register to vote in any state where you are resident. You do not have to register in your state of origin. However, once registered in a state, you can only vote in that state. If you move to a new state, apply for an inter-state transfer at the INEC office in your new state.