The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a 97.1 per cent Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection rate ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, indicating a high level of voter readiness for the poll.
INEC disclosed that 1,028,929 PVCs were collected out of the 1,059,360 registered voters in the state following the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and the clean-up of the voters’ register. The figure represents an increase from the 2023 governorship election, when 958,052 PVCs were collected.
The commission said the PVC collection exercise was extended from June 11 to June 14 to allow more eligible voters to obtain their cards before the election. It added that all eligible applicants, including new registrants, transferred voters and those seeking replacement cards, were accommodated during the exercise.
INEC further revealed that it processed 14,406 applications for replacement PVCs belonging to voters whose cards were lost, damaged or defaced, with most of the replacements already collected by their owners.
The electoral body commended traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups, political parties and the media for supporting voter mobilisation efforts. It also urged residents who have collected their PVCs to come out peacefully and participate in the election.
The Ekiti governorship election is expected to serve as a major test of voter participation and electoral preparedness ahead of future off-cycle elections and the 2027 general elections.
