The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that registered voters who lose, damage or misplace their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will no longer be automatically excluded from voting under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. The development marks a major shift in Nigeria’s electoral framework as authorities move to expand voter access and reduce disenfranchisement linked to PVC challenges.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the reform during a meeting with media executives in Ado-Ekiti ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State. He explained that the new legal framework introduces a simplified verification and replacement system that allows eligible voters, who have previously registered with INEC, to obtain certified replacement voter credentials.
According to Amupitan, the Electoral Act 2026 provides clear procedures that ensure registered voters are not denied their constitutional right to vote due to missing or damaged PVCs. He said affected voters would be able to apply for and obtain certified replacement voter documents through processes approved by the commission.
“Eligible voters who have previously registered can apply for and download certified replacement voter documents in accordance with procedures established by the Commission,” he stated. He added that the objective is to ensure that only genuine registered voters are able to participate, while eliminating avoidable barriers that have previously led to voter exclusion.
The INEC chairman said the reform is part of broader innovations introduced under the Electoral Act 2026, which is designed to modernise election administration and improve voter inclusion across the country.
He noted that the legislation reflects increasing integration of technology into Nigeria’s electoral system and the need to adapt to changing realities in voter management. According to him, the new legal framework is one of the most comprehensive electoral reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history, introducing several measures aimed at strengthening transparency and public trust in elections.
Amupitan explained that the reforms are expected to reduce incidents of voter disenfranchisement while improving participation levels in future elections. He said the Electoral Act 2026 was designed to ensure that administrative challenges such as lost or damaged PVCs no longer prevent eligible Nigerians from exercising their voting rights.
“This is intended to ensure that genuine voters are not disenfranchised simply because they no longer possess their original PVCs,” he said.
The INEC chairman urged Nigerians to familiarise themselves with the new provisions of the law and take full advantage of the opportunities it provides.
He encouraged eligible voters to actively participate in the democratic process, noting that reforms under the Electoral Act 2026 were aimed at making elections more accessible and inclusive. Amupitan expressed confidence that the new measures would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by reducing barriers to participation and improving voter confidence in the electoral system.
