Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that 1,028,929 Permanent Voters' Cards have been collected out of 1,059,360 registered voters in Ekiti State, representing a collection rate of 97.1 per cent ahead of the Saturday, June 20, 2026 governorship election. The commission disclosed this in a press statement on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to the commission, the number of registered voters in the state increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026, following the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise on Thursday, May 15, 2026, and the subsequent clean-up of the voters' register. Similarly, the number of PVCs collected rose from 958,052 in 2023, representing a collection rate of 97.0 per cent, to 1,028,929 in 2026, representing 97.1 per cent.
The PVC collection exercise, originally scheduled to end on June 11, 2026, was extended to June 14, 2026, following consultations with stakeholders at a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti. Regarding Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to make available replacement PVCs to registered voters in the event of loss, damage, or defacement of their original PVC, INEC disclosed that 14,406 applications were received within the stipulated time, and all 14,406 replacement PVCs were printed, most of which have been collected.
The commission noted that the option of a downloadable copy of lost, damaged, or defaced voter cards could not be implemented for this election because the necessary technology infrastructure had not yet been completed. The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election.
INEC expressed appreciation to stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties, and the media, for mobilising citizens to collect their PVCs and prepare for the forthcoming election. The commission also confirmed that all PVCs were printed and made available for all eligible applicants, including those who requested a transfer or applied for the replacement of lost, damaged, or defaced cards. A detailed breakdown of PVC collection by Local Government Area has been uploaded on the commission's website and social media platforms.
The commission urged all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on Election Day, and reassured the people of Ekiti State of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election.
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