The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on eligible voters in Ondo State to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), disclosing that more than 200,000 cards remain uncollected across the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Owo as part of the commission’s voter education and sensitisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Agboke said the PVC collection exercise would commence on Friday, October 9, urging traditional rulers in Ondo North Senatorial District to mobilise their subjects to collect their cards and participate in the electoral process.
He said the engagement was aimed at enlightening political stakeholders and the electorate on INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections, as well as addressing fears, uncertainties and distrust surrounding the electoral process.
According to him, the number of uncollected PVCs was expected to increase following the recent fresh registration and other voter registration activities.
Agboke said, “We feel there is a need for us to talk to the people and engage them. Some of the issues of distrust and fears should be allayed.”
He urged traditional rulers to use their positions to encourage their subjects to collect their PVCs from October 9 and come out on election day to vote for candidates of their choice.
The REC stressed that INEC was determined to ensure that the 2027 elections were decided by the votes of the people rather than vote-buying, violence or manipulation.
“Our determination is to ensure that nothing determines the winner in an election, not vote-buying, not violence, not manipulation, but the votes of the people of Ondo,” he said.
Agboke acknowledged the challenges that had characterised elections in the country, including violence and vote-buying, but assured that INEC remained committed to improving the electoral process and creating an environment free from irregularities.
