Last updated: 14 October 2026. INEC closed its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on 26 July 2026 and refused an extension, so the transfer window is shut for the 2027 elections. This guide explains what that means and what you can still do.
Can I still transfer my PVC? The short answer
- New transfer requests: the CVR exercise, which covered registration, transfer, correction of details and replacement of lost or damaged cards, ended on Sunday 26 July 2026. INEC said there would be no extension.
- If you applied before the deadline: INEC said it would finish processing applications and notify applicants by email. Check the register display (9 to 15 October) and watch INEC’s official channels.
- If you did not apply: expect to vote at the polling unit where you are registered on 16 January and 6 February 2027.
- Next chance: INEC has not said when registration will reopen. Do not trust anyone who offers to move your registration for a fee.
People move house, change jobs and relocate between states, and many Nigerians who registered years ago now live far from their polling unit. Normally INEC lets voters transfer their registration so they can vote where they live. With the 2027 elections only three months away, that window has closed for this cycle. Below is what INEC has said, why it closed, and the practical options for voters who moved or whose cards are missing. For the wider picture, see our 2027 Nigeria Election Hub and the list of remaining INEC deadlines.
What INEC said about closing registration
INEC’s public messages before the close listed new registration, transfer of registration, correction of personal details and replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) among the services available during CVR. Registration could be completed online at cvr.inecnigeria.org or in person at an INEC state office, LGA office or designated registration centre. In its final call, INEC wrote: “Your future won’t wait. Neither should you.” The exercise ended on Sunday 26 July 2026, with centres open from 9am to 3pm on the final day.
INEC had already granted a two-week extension and launched an online self-service portal during the exercise, but it then refused any further extension. The Guardian reported that INEC cited the Electoral Act 2022, which requires registration and updates of the register to be suspended at least 90 days before an election, and said it needed time for data cleaning, removing multiple registrations and producing PVCs. Civil society groups and opposition parties criticised the closure, citing long queues, faulty biometric machines, and applications that stayed pending or never received verification codes.
Key facts at a glance
I applied for a transfer before 26 July. What now?
INEC said it would complete administrative processing of applications received during the exercise, and applicants should expect an email notification once that is done. In the meantime:
- Watch your email, including the spam folder, for messages from INEC.
- Check the register display. The National Register of Voters is displayed at ward centres from 9 to 15 October 2026. Look for your name at the polling unit you asked for, and file a claim if something is wrong.
- Check your status online with the INEC voter verification page at cvr.inecnigeria.org/vvs, using your Voter’s Identification Number (VIN) or your name and date of birth. See how to find your polling unit to confirm the location.
- Expect delays for the card. INEC says PVCs for people who registered between 5 January and 26 July 2026 are not yet available, and collection dates will be announced. Our PVC collection guide has the details.
- Keep your acknowledgement slip. It is your proof that you applied.
I did not apply. Where will I vote?
Voting happens only at the polling unit where you are registered. If you moved but did not transfer before 26 July, you will need to vote at your old unit on 16 January 2027 (presidential and National Assembly) and 6 February 2027 (governorship and State Assembly). Plan travel early. Accreditation and voting run from 8:30am to 2:30pm, and elections are on Saturdays, so many people can make the trip.
Practical options if you moved
- Confirm your registered polling unit now. Use INEC’s locator and note the location, so you know how far you must travel.
- Collect your PVC from your ward centre or LGA office while collection is open. Collection is in person only.
- Plan the trip. Book transport and time off early if your unit is in another state, because both election days fall on Saturdays but travel demand will be heavy.
- Ask your INEC office whether anything can still be done in your case. INEC has not announced any further transfer window, so do not rely on one.
What if my PVC is lost or damaged?
Replacement of lost or damaged cards was one of the services that closed on 26 July. INEC’s CVR page mentions a downloadable PVC only for Osun State replacement applicants. If your card is lost and you did not apply for a replacement, ask your LGA INEC office what is possible. Do not pay anyone for a card: PVC collection is free.
Beware of PVC transfer scams
- INEC has not announced a new transfer window. Anyone claiming to “move your PVC” for a fee is not offering an official service.
- Use only cvr.inecnigeria.org and inecnigeria.org, and type the address yourself.
- Never share your VIN, one-time codes or BVN with someone who contacts you.
- Report suspected fraud to your INEC state office.
Will registration reopen?
INEC has not said when it will reopen CVR. The Social Democratic Party argued that registration should continue for future polls, while the ADC argued for no deadline at all. The commission’s stated position is that it needs the weeks before polling day to clean the register and produce cards. Watch INEC’s website and social media for announcements after the elections.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer my PVC to another state now?
Not through an announced INEC process. The CVR exercise that covered transfers ended on 26 July 2026 and INEC said there would be no extension.
How do I know if my transfer was approved?
INEC said applicants should expect an email once processing is complete. You can also check the voter verification page and the register display.
Can I vote in my new state with my old PVC?
No. Voting is allowed only at your designated polling unit. If your registration was not transferred, you vote at your old unit.
Is there a fee for transferring a PVC?
We found no INEC announcement of any fee for transfers or card collection. Treat any request for payment as a red flag.
When will registration reopen?
INEC has not announced a date.
When are the 2027 elections?
Presidential and National Assembly on 16 January 2027, governorship and State Assembly on 6 February 2027.
Bottom line
The transfer window closed on 26 July 2026. If you applied in time, track your application through the register display, INEC’s verification page and your email. If you did not, plan to vote at your registered polling unit and organise travel now. Either way, check your details early and use INEC’s official channels only. Our voter registration guide and the election hub will carry updates if INEC announces anything new.
Sources: The Guardian Nigeria, voter registration closes (27 Jul 2026); TheCable, CVR ends today; P.M. News, INEC final call; INEC CVR portal notice; Tribune, PVCs of 2026 registrants not available yet.
