INEC Extends PVC Collection Deadline to November 2 for Anambra Guber

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a critical step to ensure broader voter participation in the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election by announcing an extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise. This decision grants eligible voters additional days to retrieve their cards, which are mandatory for voting in the November 8, 2025, poll. The new deadline for the all-important PVC collection is now November 2, 2025. This last-minute adjustment underscores the electoral body’s commitment to accommodating all registered individuals and upholding the principle of inclusivity in the democratic process.

Dependable NG reports that the extension was officially announced in a statement issued on Monday, October 27, by Victoria Eta-Messi, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity. The Director highlighted that this crucial decision to move the deadline from the initial cut-off date of October 29 was formally reached at a meeting of the Commission held the same day, October 27. The rationale behind the move was the overwhelming number of appeals received from concerned citizens and various stakeholders across the state who requested additional time. These groups emphasized that a rigid deadline would disenfranchise numerous eligible voters, thereby undermining the credibility and turnout of the election.

Eta-Messi subsequently urged all registered voters who have not yet collected their PVCs to seize this final opportunity provided by the extended period. She confirmed that the cards are available for retrieval at the designated collection centres established in all 326 registration areas (wards) throughout Anambra State. This expansive network of collection points is designed to make the process as seamless as possible for voters in both urban and remote areas. Furthermore, the PVCs currently being distributed include those for individuals who registered during the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise specifically conducted in the state, ensuring that even the newest entrants into the voters’ register are catered to.

With the governorship election only days away on November 8, the significance of the November 2 collection deadline cannot be overstated. A PVC is the sole document authorizing a citizen to cast a ballot, and failure to collect it means a registered voter cannot participate in the critical democratic exercise. The Commission’s decision reflects the high stakes of the Anambra guber poll, which is viewed by many political observers as a major barometer for the country’s political direction. INEC is thus making a final, emphatic push to maximize voter turnout and minimize any possible disenfranchisement due to uncollected cards, placing the responsibility squarely on the citizens to utilize this extended window.