INEC PVC distribution starts this week as the commission prepares registered voters for the 2026 FCT Area Council elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that INEC PVC distribution will commence this week for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections scheduled for February 21.

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The move signals a critical phase in preparations for the polls and is aimed at ensuring eligible voters are fully ready to participate.

INEC officials familiar with the exercise confirmed on Monday in Abuja that the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards would begin within the week.

One official stated that the process would likely run for several days to allow broad access for voters across the territory.

According to the official, the INEC PVC Distribution exercise is expected to run from Thursday through Sunday, covering newly registered voters as well as those who transferred their registration or updated their voter information during the Continuous Voter Registration period.

The development follows INEC’s confirmation that 1,680,315 registered voters have been cleared to vote in the FCT Area Council elections.

The revised voters register was finalised after the suspension of voter registration activities in October 2025 to allow for biometric checks, public display for claims and objections, and the preparation of a supplementary register.

INEC records show that about 93,868 Permanent Voter Cards remain uncollected at the commission’s FCT office.

Officials have stressed that the current INEC PVC Distribution window provides another opportunity for eligible voters to collect their cards ahead of the polls.

The commission also disclosed that PVCs from previous registration exercises that were not collected would be made available at designated centres during the distribution period, easing access for affected voters.

Meanwhile, political campaigns for the elections, which began on September 24, 2025, are scheduled to end at midnight on February 19, 2026. INEC has already published the final list of candidates, with aspirants from 17 political parties cleared to contest.

The commission is also advancing other crucial preparations, including campaign monitoring, receipt of election materials, activation of voter accreditation systems, voter education, stakeholder engagement, and coordination with security agencies to ensure a credible and peaceful process.

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A total of 68 positions will be contested in the elections, comprising six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship seats across Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji Area Councils.