INEC speaks on ‘missing PVCs in Ondo’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State says it is not missing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state.
 
Dr Mutiu Agboke, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, clarified this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Akure by Mr Olayinka Ogunseye, Head, Voter Education and Publicity.
 
Mr Adeyeri Stephen, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Candidate for Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency, on Thursday called on the commission to investigate alleged missing PVCs in Iwaro-Oka, Akoko South-West Local Government Area.
 
Agboke said the clarification was to dismiss the allegations of some missing PVCs in Ondo State.
 
According to him, the commission wishes to state unequivocally that the allegation is incorrect and misleading because PVCs are not missing in Ondo State.
 
“INEC announced the commencement of PVC collection and the display of the Register of Voters on Oct.9.
 
“The commission made it adequately clear, through its public notices and voter education channels, that only two categories of cards were ready for collection:
 
“Cards for registrants, who applied for transfer and (ii) cards for registrants, who enrolled during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), held from August to December 2025.
 
“Cards for registrants of the subsequent phases (phases 2 and 3) of the CVR are not yet available for collection.
 
“The commission’s records show that the number of cards in Polling Unit 12 (Igbeyinadun qrts) Ward 07 (Okay V Owalusin/Ayepe) in Akoko South-West Local Government Area in question corresponds exactly with the number received from the national headquarters in Abuja,” he said.
 
The REC also said every card received was accounted for, and explained that the collection register, however, contained the names of registrants from all three phases of the CVR.
 
“It is, therefore, natural that some persons whose names appear in the register will not find their cards at this time, since their cards are not yet ready. This does not, however, amount to missing cards.
 
“Consequently, I wish to reemphasise that the commission in Ondo State has only the cards for transfer and those for first-phase CVR.
 
“Cards that have not been produced or delivered cannot, therefore, be described as missing and no investigation is required into a situation that does not exist,” Agboke said.
 
He, however, urged politicians, political parties and candidates, as well as the general public to verify facts with the state office before issuing public statements capable of creating unnecessary anxiety, suspicion or loss of confidence in the electoral process.
 
According to him, the commission remains open, transparent and committed to credible elections and its officials will gladly offer clarification to any stakeholder at any time.
 
“INEC also wishes to inform the good people of Ondo State that PVC collection at the ward level ends today, Thursday, Oct.15.
 
“From tomorrow, Friday, Oct.16, collection continues at the Local Government level (INEC Local Government Area offices) in all the 18 Local Government Areas of Ondo State.
 
“All registrants whose cards are ready are encouraged to collect them promptly, as the PVC remains the only means of voting.
 
“Residents with enquiries or complaints are also advised to visit their respective INEC Local Government Area offices or the state office in Akure,” he said.
 
Agboke assured the people of the commission’s readiness for the 2027 General Elections, and said nothing would determine the winner of any election in Ondo State than the votes of the people.