PVC Collection: INEC Ondo Receives Cards Ahead of Oct. 9 Kick-off

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State says it has taken delivery of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the nationwide collection exercise scheduled to begin on Oct. 9.

Dr Mutiu Agboke, INEC's Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Akure by Mr Olayinka Ogunseye, INEC's Head of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) Department.

Agboke said the cards are for voters who transferred their registration during the recently concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state. He said the commission had put all necessary logistics in place to ensure seamless distribution, with the PVCs to be moved to the commission's 18 Local Government Area offices across the state before collection at the ward level.

"Meanwhile, it will be collected at the commission's ward level and the development is to provide eligible voters with the opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the 2027 general election. Also, there will be a display of Voter Register (VR) and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) issuance at the Registration Area (RA) or ward level across the state. The exercise is meant for registered voters who transferred their registration during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). All affected voters are, therefore, urged to visit their respective RA (ward) centres within the stated period to verify their details and collect their PVCs," he said.

Agboke appealed to community leaders, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders to help spread the information so that no eligible voter is left out.

"INEC in Ondo State remains committed to the conduct of credible elections and providing every eligible citizen with the opportunity to participate in the electoral process," he said.

He also disclosed that INEC had undertaken a nationwide testing and inventory exercise of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, with the commission's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department confirming that all BVAS devices earmarked for deployment had been properly accounted for, tested and found to be in good working condition.

"The exercise is aimed at strengthening the commission's technological preparedness and ensuring that the BVAS devices to be deployed for the 2027 general election are functional, reliable and fit for purpose. So, the ongoing exercise underscores the commission's commitment to leaving no stone unturned in its preparations for a seamless, credible and technology-driven electoral process," he said.