Amupitan: Lost or damaged PVCs will no longer block voting in Ekiti gubernatorial election

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

Prof. Joash Amupitan, the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced that voters who lose, damage or misplace their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will no longer be automatically barred from voting under the Electoral Act 2026.

He explained that the new law introduces a streamlined procedure allowing registered voters to obtain certified replacement credentials, following the processes approved by INEC.

The statement was made during a meeting with media executives in Ado‑Ekiti ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Amupitan said the reform is a key innovation of the Electoral Act 2026, designed to broaden voter participation and ensure that legitimate voters are not denied their constitutional right to vote because of lost or damaged PVCs.

He added that the reform reflects the increasing role of technology in election administration and demonstrates the commitment of lawmakers and electoral stakeholders to make voting more accessible to Nigerians.

According to him, the Electoral Act 2026 is one of the most comprehensive electoral reform legislations in the country’s democratic history, introducing measures to modernise election management, boost voter participation and strengthen public confidence in the electoral system.

“One of the landmark provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 is that registered voters whose PVCs are lost, damaged or misplaced can now obtain replacement credentials through a simplified process,” he said.

“Eligible voters who have previously registered can apply for and download certified replacement voter documents in accordance with procedures established by the Commission.”

“This is intended to ensure that genuine voters are not disenfranchised simply because they no longer possess their original PVCs,” he added.

The INEC chairman urged voters to familiarize themselves with the new provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and to take advantage of the opportunities created by the reforms to participate actively in the democratic process.

He expressed confidence that the innovations introduced by the law would reduce voter disenfranchisement, improve electoral inclusiveness and further strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

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