The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the display of the preliminary register of voters and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue across the country.

Scheduled to run from October 9 to October 15, 2026, the seven-day exercise will allow registered voters to verify their personal details, submit claims and objections where necessary, and collect their PVCs from the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise conducted between August and December 2025.

The exercise is taking place at Registration Area centres in Plateau and Sokoto states, with the commission urging eligible voters to participate and ensure that their information is correctly captured in the voter register ahead of the elections.

INEC said the verification process was necessary to improve the accuracy of the register and give registered voters an opportunity to correct errors before the next general elections.

In Plateau State, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Sam Egwu, announced that the commission would conduct the exercise simultaneously across all 207 Registration Areas in the state.

Egwu disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Jos on Thursday.

He said the exercise would include the display of the preliminary register, the handling of claims and objections, and the collection of PVCs by eligible voters.

He said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission, Plateau State, wishes to inform the good people of Plateau State that the commission will commence display of the Preliminary Register of Voters, attend to the hearing of claims and objections as well as collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) simultaneously in all the 207 Registration Areas in the state, from the 9th to 15th of October 2026 (7 days and weekends inclusive). Time is 9 am -3 pm daily.”

The commission called on registered voters to visit the designated centres during the exercise and confirm that their registration information was accurate.

Voters are expected to check their names, photographs, dates of birth, polling units and other details supplied during registration.

Those who discover errors or have legitimate objections can use the opportunity to bring them to the attention of the commission within the stipulated period.

The Plateau REC stressed the importance of an accurate voter register to the conduct of credible elections.

“All registered voters are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to carefully check information they provided, such as their names, photographs, date of birth, polling units and other relevant registration details to make necessary claims and objections within this stipulated period as an accurate voter register is important for free and credible elections,” the REC said.

Egwu also confirmed that PVCs issued through the first phase of the CVR exercise, which ran from August 18 to December 10, 2025, would be available for collection during the verification period.

The arrangement is expected to give voters who registered during that phase an opportunity to obtain their cards before the 2027 elections.

In Sokoto State, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Garba, also announced the commencement of the exercise while briefing journalists on INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Garba spoke at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre in Sokoto, where he outlined the commission’s plans for the display of the preliminary register and distribution of PVCs.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission will commence the display of the preliminary register of voters for claims and objections, as well as the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards from the 9th to the 15th of October 2026,” Garba said.

He explained that the exercise would cover PVCs arising from the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration programme. However, cards relating to lost or damaged PVCs, voter transfers, updates and registrations completed during the second and third phases of the CVR exercise were not yet ready for collection.

According to him, INEC would announce a collection date for the outstanding cards once they became available.

Garba added that the commission would continue distributing PVCs at its offices in the state’s 23 local government areas after the display exercise at Registration Area centres ended on October 15.

“This will enable eligible voters who could not collect their cards at the Registration Area level to do so,” he said.

The extension of collection to local government offices is intended to provide another opportunity for eligible voters who are unable to obtain their cards at the designated centres during the seven-day exercise.

Garba also spoke about security arrangements surrounding voter registration and preparations for the forthcoming elections.

He said the commission had taken the advice of security agencies into consideration throughout the recent registration process, adding that their involvement contributed to a safe exercise.

“Throughout the registration of voters held recently, the commission took the advice of security agencies very seriously. This contributed to a safe process without any casualties,” he said.

The REC assured voters that INEC would continue working to ensure that eligible residents across Sokoto State received their PVCs.

He also addressed the participation of internally displaced persons (IDPs), saying the commission was engaging security agencies to establish the number of displaced persons in the state and determine how they could participate in the 2027 general elections.

“The commission is always talking with security agencies to ascertain the number of IDPs in the state. We are working to ensure that they vote once they are in official and recognised camps,” he said.

Garba further disclosed that INEC would announce the total number of registered voters in Sokoto State at the appropriate time.

Kwara United claimed the three points, but centre referee Ibuot Nsisong Linus emerged as another major talking point from Sunday’s EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter after earning commendation from both sides following the hosts’ entertaining 2-1 comeback victory over Ranchers Bees in Ilorin.

Linus, from Akwa Ibom State, handled the EuroMatch NPFL Matchday Seven fixture at the Kwara State Stadium, working alongside assistant referees Ikponmwonsa Imuetinyan and Morrison Otuwho, with Abdulmalik Abdulganiyu serving as fourth official.

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Ranchers Bees carried the advantage into half-time, but Kwara United responded after the break to turn the contest around and secure another important EuroMatch NPFL victory. The visitors were eventually reduced to 10 men following Faisal Sani’s dismissal for a second yellow card.

Despite the intensity surrounding the comeback and sending-off, the encounter ended peacefully, with coaches from both clubs commending Linus and his officiating team after the final whistle.

One supporter, Ismaila, was equally impressed by the referee’s management of the EuroMatch NPFL contest.

“I loved what I saw today—free-flowing football from both sides. The officiating was outstanding, and we pray to see more performances like this,” he said.

“Fans come to enjoy good football, regardless of who wins. When the game flows well and we do not see bias in the officiating, everybody can go home peacefully. You have to give credit to this referee; he deserves commendation.”

Linus has been building his reputation through Nigeria’s refereeing development structure. He was previously identified among the country’s Young Talent referees for a FIFA Member Association course before progressing to EuroMatch NPFL assignments.

Sunday’s performance offered another opportunity for the emerging official to demonstrate his ability in Nigeria’s top flight.

Effective security and medical arrangements also contributed to a successful matchday, while both teams, officials and supporters departed the stadium without any reported incident.

For the EuroMatch NPFL, it was the kind of afternoon that strengthens confidence in the competition: an exciting comeback, competitive football, disciplined benches and an officiating team praised by winners and losers alike.

Kwara United took the points, but Linus took the applause — a notable Matchday Seven moment for the EuroMatch NPFL.