Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved a three-day extension for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at Registration Area centres across Osun State, moving the deadline from Tuesday, July 28, to Friday, July 31, 2026. The decision, announced on Wednesday, July 29, follows widespread complaints from voters and large crowds observed at various collection centres during the initial phase of the exercise.
In a statement issued by the Head of Department, Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Inclusivity, Ariyo Rufus, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Commission explained that the extension was necessary to enable more eligible voters to obtain their cards ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The initial PVC distribution exercise commenced on Wednesday, July 22, and was originally scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, July 28. According to the Commission, 322,822 PVCs, representing 62 per cent of the available cards, were collected during this initial period.
“Having regard to complaints and large crowds at collection centres as well as other difficulties, the Commission has approved the extension of PVC collection at Registration Areas to Friday 31st July, 2026, to enable more eligible voters to exercise their civic right,” the statement read. The electoral body urged all registered voters who are yet to collect their cards to take advantage of the additional window.
In a related adjustment, INEC announced that PVC collection at Local Government Area offices would now begin on Saturday, August 1, and continue until Friday, August 7, 2026. The new schedule replaces the earlier commencement date and is intended to accommodate the extension at the Registration Area level. The Commission clarified that the extension of the Registration Area-level exercise would not affect the LGA phase, providing voters with two additional opportunities to collect their cards.
The development comes barely three weeks before the Osun governorship election, a contest expected to be keenly fought between the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, and the All Progressives Congress candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, among others. Political parties and their candidates have intensified campaigns and mobilisation across the state's 30 local government areas as the poll draws nearer.
The extension follows complaints from voters and political stakeholders about the difficulties encountered in the PVC collection process. An APC chieftain in the state had earlier called on INEC to simplify the process, noting that the ongoing method was subjecting the electorate to suffering. The Commission's decision to extend the deadline and adjust the LGA schedule is expected to ease pressure on collection centres and provide another opportunity for voters who may have been unable to collect their cards because of congestion, logistical challenges, or other difficulties.
INEC reiterated its commitment to ensuring a smooth and credible electoral process and urged voters to cooperate with officials at collection centres. The Commission has also configured 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices for the election, including 664 backup units, to cater for any incident before and during the poll. As the extended PVC collection period gets underway, the message from INEC is clear: every eligible voter must seize this opportunity to obtain their PVC and participate in shaping the future of Osun State.
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