The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of non-sensitive election materials to some parts of the country as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The development was disclosed on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by INEC National Commissioner, Professor Rhoda Gumus, during a meeting with a delegation from Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Abuja.
Gumus said most of the non-sensitive materials were ready, adding that some had already been transported to designated zones across the country.
She explained that the commission had completed nine activities on its electoral timetable and was making progress with other preparations ahead of next year’s elections.
According to her, INEC recently concluded an assessment tour of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to evaluate their level of preparedness, identify challenges and determine areas requiring further attention.
Gumus expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded so far, noting that the commission was moving towards the next stage of its preparations.
On Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), she disclosed that production had been completed, while the first and second batches had been delivered to most states.
She said PVC collection was ongoing and urged eligible voters to obtain their cards ahead of the elections, stressing that failure to collect them could create difficulties for voters on election day.
The national commissioner also revealed that INEC had commenced capacity-building exercises for its personnel at the national headquarters and state offices.
She added that the procurement and deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices were also ongoing as part of efforts to strengthen the electoral process.
On the possibility of introducing diaspora voting in Nigeria, Gumus said the commission could not implement the arrangement under the existing Electoral Act.
She explained that an amendment to the electoral law would be required before Nigerians living abroad could participate in elections from their countries of residence.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan delegation, led by the country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Isaac Parashina, said its visit was aimed at learning from Nigeria’s electoral experience ahead of Kenya’s August 2027 general elections.
Parashina explained that the delegation was particularly interested in Nigeria’s arrangements for diaspora voting and other special voting groups.
He disclosed that Kenya was considering expanding the number of countries where its citizens living abroad could participate in elections from approximately 12 to 26.
The high commissioner described Nigeria’s electoral experience as important to other African countries, noting that the success of the country’s elections would have wider implications for democratic development across the continent.
He also expressed appreciation to INEC for hosting the delegation, adding that both electoral commissions could benefit from sharing experiences and strengthening their technical cooperation.
