55,859 new PVCs collected in Ondo — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 55,859 newly registered voters in Ondo State have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the November 16 off-cycle governorship election.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the collection followed a five-day exercise between October 17 and 21. The process also covered those who applied for transfers or replacements of lost or damaged cards, he added.

Olumekun reported that the 55,859 PVCs collected represent 62.2% of the 89,777 cards available for collection, marking the highest collection percentage in a five-day period since the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process began in Ondo in 2015.

He added that the PVC collection process will continue at INEC’s 18 LGA offices in the state from October 23 to October 29, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm daily, including weekends. Olumekun urged eligible voters to personally pick up their PVCs, stressing that no cards will be issued by proxy.

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Meanwhile, in preparation for the upcoming election, INEC has also advised journalists to ensure accurate and balanced reporting.

At a workshop for media practitioners, Olumekun, represented by Ondo State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, emphasised the media’s role in providing fair coverage to all political parties and educating voters about the election.