INEC QR codes help Lagos voters locate PVC collection centres as the commission urges residents to verify their details ahead of the 2027 elections.
The initiative aims to make it easier for registered voters to identify where they should collect their cards, while encouraging residents to verify their registration details and follow official announcements about electoral activities. The Lagos office announced the development on Tuesday, October 13, during a briefing on its preparations for the forthcoming elections.
Professor Ayobami Salami, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos State, urged eligible voters to collect their available cards and confirm that their information in the Register of Voters is accurate. He also advised residents to rely on official INEC platforms for reliable information about voter services.
INEC QR Codes Help Voters Find Collection Centres
Under the new initiative, voters can scan QR codes published through INEC’s official website and social media platforms to identify designated PVC collection centres. The commission hopes this approach will improve access to electoral information and help residents find the appropriate locations without unnecessary difficulty.
The initiative is particularly relevant in Lagos, where the large voting population creates significant administrative and logistical demands ahead of elections. Salami disclosed that the state has 7,488,633 registered voters, making it the state with the highest number of registered voters in Nigeria.
Lagos has 20 local government areas, 245 Registration Areas and 13,325 polling units. Managing voter services across these locations requires careful coordination, especially as the commission prepares for the next general elections.
The QR codes provide another way for eligible voters to identify their assigned collection centres, but residents should still confirm relevant information through official INEC channels before making arrangements to collect their cards.
The commission has also urged voters to protect their PVCs after collection because the cards remain necessary for voter accreditation on election day.
Voter Register Display Exercise Ends October 15
Alongside the QR code initiative, INEC has encouraged registered voters in Lagos to check their details during the display of the Register of Voters, which began on October 9 and was scheduled to end on October 15, 2026.
The exercise allows voters to examine their registration information, confirm that their personal details are correct and identify discrepancies that may require attention. Residents who discover errors are encouraged to report them through the appropriate channels.
According to reports, the display exercise covers all 245 Registration Areas and wards across Lagos State. INEC introduced the QR code initiative to help residents locate the designated centres where they can participate in the exercise.
Although both activities support election preparations, voter verification and PVC collection serve different purposes. The register display allows registered voters to inspect their information, while the QR codes also help eligible voters locate centres assigned for collecting available cards.
With the October 15 deadline approaching at the time of the announcement, Salami urged residents who had not checked their information to use the remaining days of the exercise.
INEC Clarifies PVC Collection Eligibility
The commission has also commenced PVC distribution at designated centres across Lagos State, although not every category of registered voter can collect a card immediately.
Salami explained that cards were available for people who registered between August 25 and December 10, 2025. The available cards also include those belonging to eligible voters who registered between 2011 and 2022 but have yet to collect them, subject to INEC’s records.
However, PVCs for people who registered between January 5 and July 26, 2026, were not yet available for collection as of the announcement. The commission said it would communicate the collection arrangements for these cards through its official channels.
INEC has advised eligible voters to confirm their collection status before visiting a centre and to avoid relying on unverified information circulating online.
Preparations Continue for the 2027 General Elections
Beyond voter services, INEC said preparations for the 2027 general elections were progressing in several operational areas. These include procuring and testing voter accreditation devices, improving election-result transmission systems, planning logistics, and recruiting and training electoral personnel.
The commission is also encouraging political parties, civil society organisations and community leaders to support peaceful participation and responsible conduct throughout the electoral process.
The introduction of QR codes forms part of the commission’s efforts to improve access to voter information and encourage participation before election day. However, the effectiveness of the initiative will also depend on voters accessing the correct information and following official instructions.
As preparations continue, registered voters in Lagos are encouraged to confirm their details, check whether their PVCs are available and use INEC’s official platforms for updates on collection centres and other electoral arrangements.
