Ondo Election: INEC reports 295,603 uncollected PVCs

The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that a total of 295,603 permanent voter cards were yet to be collected in the state.

The commission also stated that a total of 17,705 ad hoc staff and 11, 799 security personnel would be engaged for the poll, which is coming up on November 16.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed this at a press briefing at the headquarters of the commission in Akure, the state capital on Monday.

The REC reiterated that the commission was fully prepared to ensure that the forthcoming governorship election is free, fair and credible.

She said, “A total of 295,603 Permanent Voter Cards are yet to be collected, but the owners can still come to collect them because there is still opportunity for them now.

“Also, for the election, we are recruiting 17,705 ad hoc staff at all levels. We have a total of 11,799 security personnel who would be administered the oath of neutrality before the election.”

The REC also stated that another round of distribution of PVCs would commence on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

She urged the people to collect their PVCs at the designated centres across the state to perform their civic duties.

“This exercise will begin at the Registration Area level until October 21st, 2024, including the weekend. The PVC distribution will take place across all 203 RAs in the state, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily, after which it will continue at the Local Government Area level from October 23 to 29 October 2024. The PVCs will be distributed at designated collection centres across all 203 Registration Areas within the state’s 18 LGAs”.

“You will recall that the commission conducted a Continuous Voters Registration exercise which began on 27th May, 2024. At the end of the exercise, there was a significant increase in registered voters across the state: 58,708 new voters were registered.

“In addition, 3,132 voters transferred their registration into and within Ondo State, while 123 voters transferred their registration within and out of Ondo State,” the REC disclosed.

She called on the people of Ondo State to go out en masse on election day to exercise their franchise peacefully and contribute to the growth of the democratic process of the state and Nigeria in general.

“They should note that their votes will count,” the INEC boss declared.