Over 1 million PVCs collected for Ekiti governorship election, says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 1,028,929 permanent voter cards (PVCs) have been collected ahead of the Ekiti state governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mohammed Haruna, INEC national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, announced the successful conclusion of the PVC collection exercise across the state.

Haruna said the number of registered voters in Ekiti increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026 following the suspension of the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise on May 15 and the subsequent clean-up of the voters’ register.

He said PVC collection also rose from 958,052 in 2023, representing 97 percent of registered voters, to 1,028,929 in 2026, representing 97.1 percent.

The INEC commissioner noted that the PVC collection exercise, initially scheduled to end on June 11, was extended to June 14 following consultations with stakeholders at a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.

On the replacement of lost, damaged or defaced voter cards, Haruna said the commission received 14,406 applications within the stipulated period.

“All 14,406 replacement PVCs were printed, most of which have been collected,” he said.

He said the commission could not introduce the option of downloadable replacement voter cards for the Ekiti election because the required technological infrastructure was yet to be completed.

“The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election,” he said.

He commended traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations (CSOs), political parties and the media for supporting voter mobilisation efforts and encouraging eligible voters to collect their PVCs.

Haruna added that all PVCs for eligible applicants, including those who applied for transfers and replacements, were printed and made available for collection.

He noted that a detailed breakdown of PVC collection by local government area had been published on the commission’s website and social media platforms.

The INEC commissioner urged voters who had collected their PVCs to participate peacefully in the election.

“Once again, the Commission urges all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on Election Day,” he said.

Haruna also reassured residents of Ekiti state of INEC’s commitment to conducting “a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election”. (TheCable)