Bauchi, Jan. 22, 2026 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bauchi State has expressed concern over the 35,770 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) lying unclaimed in its office.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, raised the concern at a stakeholders meeting on the resumption of Phase II of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on Thursday in Bauchi.
Ibrahim said that in spite of ongoing voter registration and sensitisation efforts, people have shown lackadaisical attitudes towards registration of PVCs.
According to the REC, the figure represents the balance of uncollected PVCs from previous exercises while only 1,888 cards were collected during Phase I of the CVR, which ran from Aug. 18 to Dec. 10, 2025.
He said that the large number of unclaimed PVCs poses a serious threat to voter participation ahead of the 2026 and 2027 electoral cycles.
The REC explained that although the commission registered 41,973 new voters during Phase I, voter apathy and poor PVC collection remain major challenges undermining the electoral process.
He said that voter registration and PVC collection were the foundation of credible elections and urged eligible citizens to take ownership of the process.
Ibrahim announced the rotation of Voter Enrolment Devices (IVEDs) to Registration Areas across the state during Phase II of the CVR, which runs from Jan. 5 to April 17, to address the challenges.
He said that the strategy was aimed at improving access, reducing overcrowding and encouraging more citizens to collect their PVCs.
NAN reports that the meeting brought together government officials, traditional rulers, political parties, security agencies and civil society organisations.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed the concern, calling for intensified sensitisation and mobilisation campaigns.
The Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman, represented by Alhaji Saidu Jahun, urged community leaders and political actors to educate residents on the importance of collecting their PVCs.
The stakeholders warned that uncollected PVCs could disenfranchise thousands of voters if urgent action was not taken, and pledged to support INEC’s awareness campaigns across the state. (NAN)
