INEC Discloses 295,856 PVCs Uncollected in Ondo Ahead of Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that a total of 295,856 Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected in Ondo State, raising concerns over potential voter turnout ahead of the forthcoming November 16 governorship election.

The disclosure, shared in a recent bulletin and reposted by Punch Newspapers, underscores a growing challenge of voter apathy or inaccessibility to essential electoral materials.

Despite repeated calls from INEC for citizens to pick up their PVCs in order to participate in the democratic process, hundreds of thousands of registered voters have yet to claim their cards.

This situation could significantly affect the outcome of the election, as only those with valid PVCs will be allowed to vote.

INEC officials have described the number of uncollected cards as worrisome and called on political stakeholders, community leaders, and civil society organizations to intensify public awareness campaigns to encourage collection.

INEC had earlier scheduled specific windows for PVC distribution across various ward and local government centers, assuring residents that all logistics were in place to ensure smooth access. However, the large volume of unclaimed cards suggests either a gap in voter sensitization, logistic limitations, or general disinterest in the political process.

As preparations intensify for the Ondo State gubernatorial election, the spotlight remains on whether eligible voters will respond in time to collect their cards and ensure that their voices are heard at the ballot box.