The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yobe State has said it possesses 42,756 uncollected permanent voter cards (PVCs) from the recent continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise.
Of this number, only 1,100 PVCs have been collected since the resumption of the current exercise on August 18, 2025.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press briefing marking the start of the devolution and rotation of the continuous voter registration exercise in the state.
According to the REC, the exercise is structured in three phases, with phase one ending on December 21, 2025. The second phase resumed on January 5, 2026, and is currently ongoing.
“However, following the review of the Phase I exercise, factors like seasonal farming activities, insecurity, difficult terrain, disproportionate large turnout of registrants at some centres, among others contributed to the relatively low turnout of citizens for the exercise,” he said.
He added that the commission has approved the devolution of the registration exercise to the registration area level by taking the enrolment devices to the registration areas for a period of 50 days, from February 2, 2026, to April 10, 2026.
This, according to him, is to address challenges experienced during the last exercise and to ensure inclusivity and access for all eligible citizens.
“Accordingly, the Commission is appealing to all stakeholders, including the state government, elites, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, NGOs, politicians and gentlemen of the press, to assist in sensitising and mobilising all eligible registrants to cash on this widened access that would guaranty their eligibility to choose their leaders during the 2027 general election and beyond,” he appealed.
The commission also tasked its representatives at the local government level to convene stakeholders’ meetings to inform and resolve all grey areas that will guarantee the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
The REC cautioned members of the public against misinformation, noting that only information released through official INEC channels should be relied upon.
“INEC does not appoint agents or charge any fees for voter registration or PVC-related services,” Abdullahi said.
