Kehinde Fajobi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Tuesday that 55,859 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were collected in Ondo State over a five-day period, ahead of the November 16, 2024, governorship election.
In a statement, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the figure represents 62.2 per cent of the 89,777 available PVCs.
“Over a period of five days (17-21 October 2024), the Commission made the Permanent Voter Cards from the last Continuous Voter Registration in Ondo State available for collection in all 203 wards across the state,” Olumekun said.
He noted that this was the highest collection rate in such a short time since the Continuous Voter Registration process began in 2015.
Olumekun explained that the cards were collected by new registrants, as well as those applying for transfers or replacements.
“This is the highest percentage of PVCs collected in five days in Ondo State since the Commission introduced the CVR in 2015,” the statement added.
INEC also announced that the collection exercise would continue at its 18 local government area offices from October 23 to October 29, 2024, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., including weekends.
“We appeal to the remaining voters to pick up their PVCs in person from our LGA offices. The Commission reiterates its policy that no cards will be collected by proxy,” Olumekun stressed.