'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported a significant surge in the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) during a recent drive in Ondo State, where 55,659 cards were distributed to new registrants and those applying for transfers or replacements over a span of five days from October 17 to 21, 2024.
This initiative, part of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process, allowed voters to collect their PVCs from all 203 wards in the state. Impressively, the 55,659 collected cards represent 62.2% of the 89,777 PVCs available for distribution, marking the highest percentage of PVCs collected in such a short time frame since the inception of the CVR program in 2015.
In a press release today, Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, emphasized the importance of this achievement, noting the enthusiastic response from the public. “This high turnout underscores the citizens’ readiness to participate in the democratic process and the effectiveness of our outreach efforts,” Olumekun stated.
Detailed statistics on the PVC collection have been made accessible on INEC’s website and social media platforms, providing a breakdown by Local Government Areas (LGAs) to inform the public of progress in their respective areas.
Following the successful completion of the ward-level collection, INEC has announced that the distribution will continue at its 18 LGA offices across Ondo State from October 23 to 29, 2024. Collection will take place daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, including weekends. Voters are encouraged to personally collect their PVCs, as INEC reiterates its policy that cards cannot be collected by proxy.
INEC’s commitment to facilitating voter registration and ensuring that eligible citizens have access to their PVCs is evident in this recent campaign. As the 2024 gubernatorial elections approach, the Commission is urging all remaining voters to take advantage of this opportunity to secure their voting rights.
As Ondo State prepares for the electoral season, the successful collection of PVCs could be a decisive factor in mobilizing voter participation and engagement in the democratic process. Voter education and awareness campaigns are expected to ramp up in the coming weeks to further encourage participation ahead of the polls.