Three weeks after the commencement of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, collection nationwide, the failure of at least 14 million eligible voters to collect their cards is raising concerns for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Investigations by Vanguard across several states reveal that while the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise attracted millions of new registrants, a significant number of produced PVCs remain uncollected, potentially disenfranchising their owners.

Vanguard’s findings show that 6.26 million PVCs were left uncollected before the 2023 general elections.

The latest CVR exercise recorded 10,772,421 new voters, while figures from several states suggest that the number of uncollected cards has now exceeded 14 million.

The situation is particularly concerning in Plateau, Taraba, Jigawa, Benue and Bayelsa, where INEC has confirmed substantial numbers of unclaimed cards.

In Plateau, about 95,000 PVCs from previous registration exercises remain uncollected. Taraba has 29,314 outstanding cards, while Jigawa has 33,079 cards ready for collection.

Bayelsa, on its part, has 52,225 PVCs from the first phase of the recent registration exercise awaiting collection.

Despite the challenge, voter registration figures indicate growing electoral participation, with Sokoto, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Kano and other states recording significant additions to their voter registers.

However, the picture remains incomplete in some states.

Kano is yet to compile its PVC collection figures across its 44 local government areas, while INEC officials in Borno, Bauchi and Kebbi declined to provide updates, describing the information as sensitive.

In the South-West, Lagos says its final register will not be available until December 15, following the conclusion of the claims and objections exercise.

Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Osun have also reported increases in registered voters, although some are still compiling their PVC collection figures.

The development raises concerns over whether the growing number of registered voters will translate into actual participation in the 2027 general elections, beginning with the presidential and National Assembly polls on January 16.