INEC begins voter register verification, PVC collection in Benue 

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed October 9 to commence the verification of the Preliminary Register of Voters, consideration of claims and objections, and collection of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, across Benue State.

The exercise, which will end on October 15, 2026, will be conducted in all 276 Registration Areas across the state, including weekends, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily.

The Commission announced the development in a statement issued by Haliru Haruna, Head of Voter Education and Publicity, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State.

INEC explained that the exercise was being conducted in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the Commission to make the Register of Voters available for public scrutiny at least 90 days before a general election.

The electoral body called on registered voters to visit designated centres to confirm that their personal information had been correctly captured in the register.

It advised voters to pay particular attention to their names, photographs, dates of birth, polling units and other registration details to identify any inaccuracies that may require correction.

The Commission also urged members of the public to use the designated period to raise legitimate claims or objections concerning entries in the register, noting that the process would help identify and correct errors before the elections.

According to INEC, maintaining an accurate and credible voter register is fundamental to ensuring transparent, free and fair elections.

The statement further disclosed that PVCs belonging to individuals who registered during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, held between August 18 and December 10, 2025, would be distributed at the Registration Area level during the exercise.

The cards would later be available for collection at designated Local Government Area offices, the Commission added.

INEC encouraged all eligible voters in Benue State to participate in the verification exercise and collect their PVCs, stressing that possession of the card remains necessary for voters to exercise their franchise during elections.

INEC begins voter register verification, PVC collection in Benue