The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is worried that 93,863 Permanent Voter Cards have not been collected in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The commission also outlined the consequences of electoral offenses, warning that it is not going to be business as usual, as more arrests and prosecutions await culprits in the coming elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the FCT, Mallam Aminu Kasamu Idris, raised the concern at a stakeholders’ consultative forum with the media in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, the meeting became necessary to enable INEC to create a platform for interface on current and emerging electoral events in the FCT.

Idris said, “In line with the law, the commission has announced the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to commence on Monday, August 18, 2025, with online pre-registration. This is to be followed by physical or in-person registration on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the INEC FCT office and the six Area Council INEC offices between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

“The commission, in the course of the exercise, may create more centers and communicate them to the public as the exigencies and resources permit. The CVR exercise will provide the opportunity for Nigerians who have turned 18 years old, and other eligible citizens who have not registered in any of the previous registration exercises, to get registered.

“The exercise will also provide a window for registrants who wish to replace damaged or lost Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), transfer their registration units within the FCT or to another state. There is also provision for voters who seek to correct errors on their PVCs by updating their information, and for the collection of the 93,863 uncollected PVCs in the FCT.

“The success of any electoral activity, including the forthcoming CVR exercise and the February 2025 FCT Area Council elections, can only be measured by how well-enlightened and engaged citizens are to ensure informed and mass participation.

“As members of the fourth estate, your statutory roles are crucial and well-defined: to enlighten, educate, and set agendas that drive transformation across all spheres of public life, including the electoral process.

“Against the backdrop of the forthcoming two key electoral activities in the FCT, I have no doubt that you will, as major stakeholders and an influential force in the electoral space, double down on your statutory roles using your media platforms to adequately enlighten the citizens and create enough awareness for informed and mass participation.

“It is also our expectation that more media information will be provided to deepen citizens’ understanding of their electoral rights and responsibilities, and to also promote a positive perception that will make both the CVR exercise and the Area Council elections in the FCT peaceful and free of thuggery.

“Efforts must be intentional and deliberate on all fronts in citizens’ engagement and mobilization drives. This underscores our periodic meetings with you to build synergy to drive robust media engagement for smooth and successful electoral activities in the FCT.

“The commission will continue to prioritize partnership with the media to help promote a successful and inclusive electoral process for sustainable democracy in Nigeria in general and the FCT in particular.”