Nigerians living abroad have appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the period for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection and review voter revalidation and transfer processes ahead of the 2027 general election.
The appeal was contained in a statement by Comrade Oladotun Toye, coordinator, APC Japan/Asia, on behalf of Nigerians in the diaspora and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN).
The group hailed INEC for the conduct of the recent elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as the extension of its self-service online voter registration portal, saying the initiatives had provided opportunities for first-time voters to participate in the electoral process.
However, the Diaspora Nigerians said urgent measures were needed to address challenges that could prevent eligible citizens living abroad from participating in the 2027 elections.
They called on INEC to extend the PVC collection deadline to at least one week before the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
According to the group, the extension would enable Nigerians in the Diaspora, who have limited annual leave from their employers, to travel to Nigeria, visit their local governments and collect their PVCs before election day.
The statement noted that many Nigerians living in countries including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Spain, France and China were planning to return to Nigeria from January 2027.
“Allowing sufficient time for PVC collection will enable them to visit their local governments, collect their cards and participate fully in the electoral process,” the group said.
The diaspora community also urged INEC to investigate and resolve outstanding cases involving voter-card transfers and revalidation conducted before the 2023 general election.
It said some Nigerians in the diaspora who completed the processes had yet to receive their PVCs, while others were unable to vote in the 2023 elections because of unresolved issues. NigerianPartnership Consulting
The group asked INEC to provide affected voters with a clear timeline and accessible mechanism to either collect their PVCs or re-apply where necessary, well ahead of the 2027 elections.
It called on the electoral commission to consider reliable alternative methods of voter accreditation in cases where challenges with the PVC system could arise.
The group welcomed ongoing discussions around electronic and digital solutions for voter identification and accreditation, urging INEC to implement such reforms in a timely manner to reduce logistical challenges and prevent the disenfranchisement of eligible voters.
On diaspora voting, the group acknowledged that the current Electoral Act does not permit Nigerians abroad to vote at Nigerian embassies and consulates.
It, however, urged INEC to continue working with the National Assembly and other stakeholders towards establishing the necessary legal framework for diaspora voting.
The group said Nigerians living and working abroad made significant contributions to Nigeria’s economic development and should also have greater opportunities to participate in the country’s democratic process.
It said extending the PVC collection period, resolving outstanding voter revalidation and transfer cases, strengthening alternative accreditation systems and advancing diaspora voting would promote greater electoral inclusion and participation.
“We, therefore, respectfully appeal to INEC to give urgent consideration to these concerns and take the necessary steps to ensure no eligible Nigerian is unnecessarily disenfranchised in the 2027 general election,” the statement said.