Abuja 22/07/2026
The sudden suspension of the nationwide Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration exercise at a time when thousands of Nigerians were trooping out daily to register has triggered widespread concern and deepened public distrust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Across the country, registration centres witnessed unprecedented turnout, particularly among young people and first-time voters determined to participate in shaping the country’s future. Rather than responding by extending registration to accommodate the surge, INEC halted the exercise, leaving many eligible citizens unable to complete their registration.
From an opposition perspective, the timing raises serious legal and political questions.
A democracy should encourage maximum voter participation, not create barriers that discourage eligible citizens from exercising their constitutional rights. Every Nigerian who wishes to vote should be given a reasonable opportunity to register.
More importantly, the Federal High Court in Anaja Salma vs INEC (2022) made it clear that INEC lacks the power to end PVC registration until 90 days to the general elections. That judgement is not a mere opinion; it is a binding judicial pronouncement that places a legal limit on INEC’s discretion. Any attempt to shut down voter registration before that period raises grave concerns about compliance with the law.
The abrupt shutdown therefore does more than fuel suspicion; it suggests possible disregard for an existing court decision and for the democratic rights of citizens who are still within the lawful window to register. Whether or not that perception is justified, it underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to judicial authority.
Critics argue that if the registration centres were overwhelmed because Nigerians had finally become politically awakened, the logical democratic response would have been to deploy more registration machines, extend working hours, and lengthen the registration period—not terminate it in apparent contradiction of the law.
Nigeria’s democracy grows stronger when more citizens vote, not when fewer do.
INEC therefore owes Nigerians a detailed public explanation. Why was the exercise halted despite the obvious demand and the legal position established by the Federal High Court? Were there logistical constraints? Budgetary limitations? Security concerns? Or was the commission simply unwilling to accommodate the influx of new registrants within the period allowed by law?
Without clear answers, speculation will continue to thrive.
The opposition and civil society organizations are therefore justified in demanding:
Immediate publication of the reasons for the suspension.
Reopening and extension of PVC registration in line with the Federal High Court judgement in Anaja Salma vs INEC (2022).
Greater transparency regarding the voter registration process.
Independent oversight to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised.
Democracy derives its legitimacy from the participation of the people. Any action that appears to limit that participation—whether intentional or not—deserves rigorous public scrutiny, especially where a court has already stated that INEC lacks the power to end PVC registration until 90 days to the general elections.
If Nigerians have indeed reawakened politically, that awakening should be welcomed, not discouraged. A credible election begins not on election day but with an inclusive voter registration process that leaves no eligible citizen behind.
The burden now rests on INEC to reassure Nigerians that its decisions are guided solely by law, fairness, and the integrity of the electoral process. Public confidence depends not only on impartiality but also on respect for the law and the appearance of impartiality.
