Eligible voters in Umuahia, Abia State, have expressed anger over their inability to collect Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on the opening day of the nationwide exercise, after Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were reportedly absent from some designated centres.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the complaints were made on Friday, October 9, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Some prospective voters said they had made repeated trips to the centres and accused INEC of frustrating their efforts to obtain their cards.
One voter, Francis Egwuibe, said he arrived at a centre as early as 8:30 am but left after waiting beyond 9 am without seeing any official. He questioned why INEC staff could not remain at centres throughout the announced hours, given the time and transport costs voters incur.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that, at the St Stephen’s Primary School centre, officials who had come for the exercise were said to have closed for the day when a Vanguard correspondent visited at about 3:18 pm. INEC’s published schedule runs from 9 am to 3 pm at the registration areas. Enquiries at some centres indicated that officials who had arrived earlier had left.
According to INEC’s schedule, collection in registration areas runs from October 9 to October 15, then moves to local government areas from October 16.
INEC’s Abia spokesperson, Victor Abraham, promised to revert after making enquiries, but had not responded at the time of filing. Nationally, the commission said turnout on the first day was relatively low and expressed optimism that it would improve.
Voters urged INEC to improve its arrangements so eligible citizens can obtain their cards without hardship. They warned that the difficulties could discourage people from voting.
CDA News Nigeria will update this story as more information emerges.
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