-PVC production complete; collection and BVAS rollout continue
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distributing non-sensitive election materials to some geopolitical zones as it steps up preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday while receiving a delegation from Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), led by Kenya’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Isaac Parashina.
Gumus said the commission had completed nine activities on its election timetable following a readiness assessment across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The visits were intended to assess infrastructure, identify operational bottlenecks and address logistical gaps ahead of the polls.
“Right now, all non-sensitive materials are almost ready. In fact, as we speak, some of the materials have been dispatched to some zones. I spoke to the commissioner in charge of that,” she said.
Gumus said production of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been completed, with most states having received the first and second batches. Collection is ongoing nationwide, and she urged eligible voters to collect their cards ahead of the election.
She added that the procurement and deployment of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines were underway. INEC is also conducting training for personnel at its national headquarters and state offices to improve operational efficiency.
On calls to introduce voting by aspirants, Gumus said INEC could not proceed without an amendment to the Electoral Act.
“Because we go by the law, and aspirant voting is not included in the Electoral Act, we cannot proceed with it until the Act is amended,” she said.
Gumus said INEC had organised technical sessions between its directors and the visiting Kenyan officials to share experience on electoral administration.
Parashina said the delegation was in Nigeria to learn from INEC’s operational experience ahead of Kenya’s general election, scheduled for August 2027. He said that, despite differences in population and geography, the two countries faced similar electoral challenges.
He said the IEBC was particularly interested in Nigeria’s arrangements for special-interest groups and diaspora voting. Kenya plans to expand the number of countries in which its citizens abroad can vote from 12 at the last election to about 26 in 2027.
“The success of Nigeria remains a great success to Kenya and indeed to the continent. Everyone is looking at what Nigeria will do because it is the biggest democracy in Africa,” Parashina said. He thanked INEC for its hospitality and wished the commission success in conducting the 2027 elections.
Editor’s note: Please confirm Prof. Gumus’s official title before publication. The original copy refers to her as both a national commissioner and the acting chairman.
