PVC Collection Limited To FCT Residents - INEC.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said the current collection of Permanent Voter Cards is only for residents of the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the Area Council election.

The clarification was given on Thursday, January 22, 2026, after many voters in other states began asking about when they could collect their cards.

INEC explained that the exercise now taking place is meant only for voters in the FCT who will take part in the February 21 Area Council election. 

The commission warned people in other states not to depend on rumours or false messages about PVC collection in their areas.

Earlier in the week, INEC had announced the start of PVC distribution in the FCT and called on eligible voters to go to their wards to collect their cards. 

The commission said the exercise would run from January 22 to January 26 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Voters who are unable to pick up their cards at their wards within the period were advised to visit the INEC Area Council offices in the FCT afterward.

After the announcement, many residents outside Abuja assumed the exercise had started across the country. 

INEC later cleared the confusion by stating that no dates have been fixed yet for PVC collection in other states.

The commission added that it would announce the schedule for other states once plans are completed.

 It also asked voters to wait patiently and follow only official updates from INEC to avoid being misled.