1.02 million PVCs collected for Ekiti governorship election – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reports that 1,028,929 of the 1,059,360 registered voters in Ekiti State have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ahead of the state governorship election scheduled for Saturday.

Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced the figures in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, following the completion of PVC collection in the state.

Haruna noted that after the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on Thursday, 15 May, and a subsequent cleanup of the voters’ register, the number of registered voters in Ekiti rose from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.

“Similarly, the number of PVCs collected rose from 958,052 in 2023, representing a collection rate of 97.0 per cent, to 1,028,929 in 2026, representing 97.1 per cent of registered voters,” he said.

Haruna recalled that the PVC collection exercise, originally scheduled to finish on 11 June, was extended to 14 June after consultations with stakeholders at a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.

He also said that, in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, the commission provided replacement PVCs to registered voters who had lost, damaged, or had their original PVCs defaced.

Under the arrangement, 14,406 applications were received within the stipulated time, and all replacement PVCs were printed, most of which have already been collected.

“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged or defaced voter cards could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed,” Haruna said. “The option will be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 general election.”

Haruna thanked stakeholders—including traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties and the media—for their support in mobilising citizens to collect their PVCs and prepare for the upcoming election.

He added that for the Ekiti governorship election, all PVCs had been printed and made available to all eligible applicants, including those who requested a transfer or applied for a replacement of lost, damaged or defaced cards.

Haruna said that a detailed breakdown of PVC collection by Local Government Area (LGA) had been uploaded on the commission’s website and social media platforms.

He urged all registered voters who had collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on election day.

Haruna reassured the people of Ekiti State of INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election. (NAN)

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