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National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has disclosed that registered voters who lose, damage or misplace their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will no longer be automatically disenfranchised under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
Amupitan said the new electoral law introduces a simplified process that allows eligible voters who have previously registered with the commission to obtain certified replacement voter credentials in line with procedures approved by INEC.
The INEC chairman made the disclosure during a parley with media executives in Ado-Ekiti ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.
According to him, the reform is one of the major innovations contained in the Electoral Act 2026 aimed at expanding voter participation and ensuring that genuine voters are not denied their constitutional right to vote because of lost or damaged PVCs.
Amupitan explained that the reform reflects the growing role of technology in election administration and demonstrates efforts by lawmakers and electoral stakeholders to make the voting process more accessible to Nigerians.
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He noted that the Electoral Act 2026 is one of the most comprehensive electoral reform legislations in the country’s democratic history, introducing several measures designed to modernise election management, increase voter participation and strengthen public confidence in the electoral system.
His words, “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.
“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.”
The INEC chairman urged eligible voters to familiarise themselves with the new provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and 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 help reduce voter disenfranchisement, improve electoral inclusiveness and further strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
