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”.
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