The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that more than 1.02 million voters have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.
The electoral body said the PVC collection exercise ended successfully with 1,028,929 registered voters obtaining their cards, representing 97.1 percent of the total registered voters in the state.
According to a statement issued by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the number of registered voters in Ekiti increased significantly following the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and subsequent clean-up of the voters’ register.
The commission disclosed that the state’s voter population rose from 987,647 recorded during the 2023 governorship election to 1,059,360 registered voters in 2026. The latest PVC collection rate also surpassed the 2023 figure when 958,052 cards were collected, representing a 97 percent turnout.
INEC explained that the collection exercise, originally scheduled to end on June 11, was extended until June 14 after consultations with political parties and other stakeholders during a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti. The extension was aimed at giving more eligible voters the opportunity to collect their cards before election day.
The commission said all eligible applicants were accommodated, including those who registered during the CVR exercise, voters who transferred their registration to Ekiti State, and individuals who applied for replacement cards due to loss, damage, or defacement.
INEC revealed that it received 14,406 applications for PVC replacement in line with the Electoral Act 2026. All replacement cards were produced and made available for collection, with most applicants already receiving their new cards.
However, the commission noted that its planned innovation allowing voters to download digital copies of lost or damaged voter cards could not be deployed for the Ekiti election. According to INEC, the technological infrastructure required for the initiative is still under development.
The commission expressed optimism that the digital voter card system will be introduced in future elections, beginning with the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 2026 and the 2027 general elections.
As final preparations continue for Saturday’s poll, INEC commended traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties, and media stakeholders for supporting voter awareness campaigns. The commission also urged eligible voters to participate peacefully and assured residents of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election.
