The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has clarified that Permanent Voter Cards PVCs cannot be obtained outside its offices, even after applicants complete online pre-registration in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration CVR exercise.
Whike speaking with reporters, INEC’s Director of ICT, Bayode Lawrence, explained that online registration alone does not finalize the process. According to him, every eligible voter must still appear physically at designated INEC centres to capture their biometric data, especially fingerprints. He stressed that this step is crucial to protect the authenticity of voter information and prevent manipulation or duplication of records.
Lawrence noted that while applicants can fill in and upload personal details online, physical presence remains mandatory until technology makes it possible to capture biometrics remotely. He added that INEC is working with the National Identity Management Commission NIMC to explore the use of national identification data in future registration exercises.
