The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing display of the preliminary voters’ register and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by one week to prevent the disenfranchisement of millions of eligible voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The association proposed that the exercise, scheduled to end on October 15, should be extended to October 22, 2026, citing inadequate public awareness, particularly among rural dwellers, pastoral communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Northern Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello, KACRAN said many Nigerians who registered online or physically between August 18 and December 10, 2025, remained unaware of the ongoing collection exercise and the approaching deadline.
The association expressed concern that while residents of major cities and towns had better access to information through newspapers, electronic media and social media, many people in remote rural communities and pastoral settlements were yet to receive adequate sensitisation.
KACRAN said it had spent months mobilising its members without PVCs to participate in the registration exercise but feared that many of those who registered might lose the opportunity to collect their cards before the deadline.
It also highlighted the plight of thousands of internally displaced persons across Northern Nigeria, noting that many had registered as voters after fleeing their communities but might struggle to collect their PVCs because of inadequate information about collection centres and their designated ward headquarters.
According to the association, a one-week extension would provide additional time to reach affected communities and enable registered voters to collect their cards ahead of the 2027 elections.
KACRAN stressed that PVC collection was critical to effective participation in the electoral process, arguing that every eligible vote mattered in determining the outcome of elections.
The association further criticised politicians for concentrating on campaigns and the selection of preferred candidates while paying insufficient attention to mobilising eligible voters who were yet to collect their PVCs.
It urged INEC to treat the request as urgent, warning that failure to extend the deadline could leave many registered Nigerians unable to participate fully in the forthcoming elections.
Beyond its appeal to the electoral commission, KACRAN called on the 19 Northern governors to declare Monday, October 19, and Tuesday, October 20, 2026, work-free days if INEC approved the extension.
The proposed days, it said, should be devoted to intensive public enlightenment and mobilisation across the region to ensure that all eligible voters whose cards were ready collected them at their designated ward headquarters.
The association also called on print and electronic media organisations, as well as social media platforms, to intensify public awareness campaigns and provide timely information on PVC collection.
It urged Nigerians who had registered and whose cards were available to collect them before the deadline, warning that failure to do so could lead to avoidable disappointment during the 2027 general elections.
KACRAN said it was prepared to participate actively in the electoral process and support the emergence of leaders committed to justice and fairness for all Nigerians.
