Before you go to a polling unit to cast your vote in the upcoming elections in Nigeria, you need to ensure to use INEC’s online verification portal to check the status of your voter’s card. Through this portal, you can also get your voter’s identification number (VIN).
Checking the status of your voter’s card is very important because, without a valid voter ID, you will not be accredited and will be disenfranchised during an election in this country. The ID shows you as a registered voter. This way, your name can easily be checked by the INEC chairman or his assistant during the accreditation exercise.
What Is PVC?
The PVC (Permanent Voters Card) is a smart card-based voter identity containing a voter’s information, such as bio data, biometric, and facial image. Card technology provides reasonable security features to reduce counterfeiting and is used to identify and authenticate voters during Nigerian elections.
How to Use the INEC Voter Registration Status Checker?
If you want to check if your PVC is valid, go to the INEC PVC verification portal.
Right there you can make use of your voter’s identification number (VIN) or your name and date of birth to locate your registration.
- Choose your state of residence (where you registered)
- Enter your surname name
- Enter your VIN or your date of birth
- Click on “Search”.
- If valid, all your data including PVC vin, voting unit will be displayed.
Note: If your provisional voter identity card (i.e the printed paper version) has been lost or damaged, you can use your date of birth for verification.
How to Check the Status Based on Your Date of Birth?
Select the registration status; enter your last name, first name, and date of birth. Then, click on “Check status”.
If your registration is valid, your details will be displayed, which include the following:
- Your full name
- Your voter identification number (vin)
- Your gender
- Time of registration
- Status
- Local government
- Registration area (station)
- Polling unit
- Polling unit code
Where Can I Pick up My PVC When It’s Done?
You can pick up your PVC in your local government INEC office when it is ready.
You can also use the online PVC location finder.
Replacement of Lost or Damaged Voter Cards
A valid voters’ register, in which each voter with a Voter ID card is registered, is a must to guarantee free and fair election.
A person must hold a voter’s ID card to be accredited and be allowed to vote during an election. The identity card identifies the voter, making it easy for the chairman or his assistant to check the voter’s name.
It is, therefore, important that a person keeps their voter ID safe to avoid loss or damage.
However, if a person loses their card or if it is damaged, the Independent National Electoral Commission will replace them.
- Go to your nearest INEC office
- Contact the authorized election officer
- Provide any evidence that shows you have had PVC before. For example, your provisional voter ID.
- Indicate the circumstances in which you misplaced or damaged your voter ID
- You will be issued another copy of your original voter ID
- DUPLICATE will be printed in bold together with the date of issue.
What Is INEC Citizens Contact Center (ICCC)?
The Independent National Electoral Commission Citizens Contact Center (ICCC) is an organization that provides the general public with constant access to the Commission through inquiries and information exchange.
The ICCC operates a 24-hour service every day.
As a daily situation room, the center offers the public the opportunity to receive real-time answers to inquiries, incident reports, complaints and questions about every aspect of the election process.
At the center of the site of INEC, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email, and can over telephone lines, myINEC Mobile app access.
- HOTLINES: 0700-CALL-INEC (0700-2255-4632)
- Website address: www.inecnigeria.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/inecnigeria (INEC Nigeria)
- Twitter handle: @inecnigeria
- Instagram: @inecnigeria
- Email: iccc@inec.gov.ng
You can also download the official myINEC app from the Google Play Store
