The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) has expressed concern over five million uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Nigeria.

Director, CDD-West Africa, Dauda Garuba, said this while unveiling the new chair of the CDD Election Analysis Centre (EAC) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Garuba said that as Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, CDD-West Africa continues to reflect on the state of the country’s democracy through the lens of recent developments.

“Nationwide, the issue of over five million uncollected PVCs is a silent ‘crisis,’” said Mr Garuba. “If unresolved, millions of citizens risk exclusion from the 2027 elections, a development that could erode both participation and legitimacy.”

Mr Garuba suggested that to safeguard the credibility of the Anambra off-cycle governorship election, future by-elections, and the 2027 general polls, urgent actions were required.

He said CDD urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve its technological infrastructure, logistics, and voter outreach strategies.

“PVC collection must be given a coordinated national campaign, decentralised collection points, deliberate grassroots outreach, and targeted voter education,” Mr Garuba said.

He added that security agencies should deploy personnel with neutrality and professionalism, resisting pressure from incumbents.

The director also urged political actors to commit to issue-based campaigns and reject vote buying and weaponised violence.

He said civil society organisations (CSOs) should also sustain monitoring efforts, amplify citizen voices, and demand accountability.

Mr Garuba urged citizens to resist inducements and reclaim the power of their votes.

“The stakes ahead of 2027 are not just about whether democracy will survive; they are about the kind of democracy Nigerians will inherit,” he said.

Speaking on the unveiling of the new chair of CDD-West Africa’s Election Analysis Centre (CDD-West Africa EAC), Mr Garuba said Victor Adetula succeeded 82-year-old Adele Jinadu, who diligently chaired the EAC for about 14 years.

Mr Adetula extended gratitude to the leadership of CDD West Africa for entrusting him with the responsibility.

(NAN)