The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the commencement of Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, collection for newly registered voters in Ondo State.
In a statement issued on Monday, in Abuja by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the commission confirmed that 89,777 new PVCs have been printed and delivered to the state for collection.
According to Olumekun, “A total of 89,777 new PVCs from the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) were printed. This is made up of 58,708 new voters and 31,069 applicants for transfers, updates, and replacement of lost and damaged PVCs.”
PVC collection will take place at two levels: first, at the 203 wards in Ondo State from Thursday, October 17 to Monday, October 21, 2024. Secondly, at INEC’s 18 Local Government Area (LGA) offices from Wednesday, October 23 to Tuesday, October 29, 2024. The collection times are between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily, including weekends.
Olumekun added, “During the period, the backlog of uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the designated centres.”
INEC emphasized that PVCs must be collected in person. “We appeal to registered voters in the State to pick up their PVCs in person on the approved dates. The Commission reiterates its policy that no cards will be collected by proxy,” Olumekun stated.
For convenience, the locations of all Ward and LGA collection centres have been uploaded on INEC’s website and social media platforms. The names of new registrants will also be posted at the designated centres and on the Commission’s website to facilitate easy identification and seamless collection.
Olumekun concluded by urging registered voters to take advantage of the designated dates and locations to collect their PVCs, stressing the importance of participation in the electoral process. “We are committed to ensuring that all eligible voters in Ondo State have access to their PVCs ahead of upcoming elections,” he affirmed.
