The Independent National Electoral Commission is calling on stakeholders in Ekiti State to support ongoing efforts to sensitise residents about collecting their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2026 governorship election. Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, made the appeal in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday. He urged registered voters, including newly registered ones, to collect their PVCs from their registration areas and wards. The collection exercise began on June 2 and will run until June 11, 2026.
From June 2 to June 8, PVCs can be collected at registration areas and wards across the state. The exercise will shift to INEC local government offices from June 9 to June 11. Omoseyindemi stressed that the PVC is not just an identification document but a key instrument for democratic participation. He said it enables citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote and shape the future of their communities and the nation.
The REC called on community leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to help create awareness and encourage eligible voters to participate. "INEC Ekiti State Office remains committed to conducting credible, transparent and inclusive electoral processes and therefore calls on all stakeholders, community leaders, youth groups and the general public to assist in creating awareness," Omoseyindemi stated. He emphasized that voter registration alone is not enough and that collecting the PVC is a personal responsibility. Only voters with valid cards will be eligible to vote in the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
INEC has intensified voter education and stakeholder engagement to boost participation. The commission reiterated its commitment to a credible and inclusive election process. Omoseyindemi said every eligible voter has a role to play in strengthening democracy. "Every vote counts, and every eligible voter has a role to play in strengthening our democracy," he said.
Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi says collecting a PVC is a personal responsibility, yet he is asking others to carry the burden of getting voters to act. The same voters expected to collect their cards by June 11 may not respond to appeals from leaders who weren't named in the process. If personal responsibility is key, then public appeals contradict the message. The June 20 election hinges on card collection, but the timeline stretches over a year, leaving room for apathy.
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