As the September 21 governorship election in Edo State approaches, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made significant progress in ensuring that eligible voters are prepared to participate. In a remarkable feat, INEC has announced that 125,928 out of 184,438 newly printed Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) have been collected across Edo State in just five days. This represents 68.3% of the total new PVCs issued during the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, highlighted that this collection rate is the highest INEC has recorded since it introduced the CVR process for off-cycle governorship elections in 2015. This achievement underscores the commission’s commitment to facilitating voter participation in the upcoming election.
The collection drive was conducted across all 192 wards in Edo State from August 22 to August 26, 2024. INEC’s strategic approach to the distribution process played a key role in its success. The commission meticulously organized the PVCs by Polling Units, Wards, and Local Government Areas (LGAs) to ensure that voters could easily locate and collect their cards.
To streamline the process, INEC produced a detailed collection register. This register included specific information on the voters whose cards were ready for collection and was made available on INEC’s official website. This transparency helped voters identify the exact location of their PVCs, reducing confusion and delays during the collection process.
INEC’s success in Edo State reflects the commission’s dedication to improving voter engagement and turnout. By making the collection process as straightforward as possible, INEC is helping to ensure that more eligible voters can exercise their right to vote in the upcoming governorship election.
While the ward-level collection has concluded, INEC has announced that voters who have not yet collected their PVCs still have an opportunity to do so. From August 28 to September 8, PVCs will be available for collection at INEC offices in each of the 18 LGAs of Edo State. Mr. Olumekun has urged all remaining voters to take advantage of this opportunity and collect their PVCs before the deadline.
He also reiterated that INEC’s policy prohibits the collection of PVCs by proxy. This means that only the registered voter can collect their card in person, ensuring the integrity of the voting process.
INEC’s efforts in Edo State are part of a broader commitment to ensuring that all eligible voters are equipped to participate in the democratic process. As the governorship election draws near, INEC is focused on providing accurate and timely information to voters. Detailed breakdowns of PVC collection by LGA have been uploaded to INEC’s website and social media platforms for public access.
The commission has also provided comprehensive information on the locations of its LGA offices, ensuring that voters can easily find where to collect their PVCs. By doing so, INEC is making every effort to remove barriers to voting and encourage maximum voter turnout on election day.
As Edo State prepares for its upcoming governorship election, the high rate of PVC collection is a positive indicator of voter readiness and engagement. INEC’s successful coordination of the collection process demonstrates the commission’s commitment to a fair and accessible election. With ongoing efforts to distribute the remaining PVCs, INEC is ensuring that every eligible voter in Edo State has the chance to make their voice heard on September 21.
