Over 2.2 million voters ready for Edo governorship election – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced that over 2.2 million registered voters in Edo State have collected their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, ahead of the upcoming governorship election, scheduled to take place this weekend.

This update was made available to CAPITAL POST in statement on Tuesday, by National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun

According to the data provided, out of a total of 2,629,025 registered voters in Edo State, 2,249,780 individuals representing 85.57% have successfully collected their PVCs. However, 379,245 PVCs, which amount to 14.43%, remain uncollected as of the close of the extended PVC collection period on Sunday, 16th September 2024.

In it’s effort to ensure transparency and provide relevant information to political parties, candidates, and the general public, INEC has made detailed data on PVC collection available on a polling unit basis. Edo State has a total of 4,519 polling units, and voting will occur at each of these units during the election.

The commission has uploaded a 128-page document that provides a comprehensive breakdown of PVCs collected and uncollected at every polling unit. The document is available on the INEC website for public access.

This initiative is expected to enhance the election process by giving political stakeholders and observers a clearer understanding of voter readiness across the state. The collection rate of over 85% signifies a high level of voter engagement ahead of what is expected to be a crucial election for the state.

Sam Olumekun, in his statement, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and credible election, urging all voters to participate peacefully in the democratic process.

He further encouraged those who are yet to collect their PVCs to ensure they do so in future exercises to exercise their civic rights in upcoming elections.