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The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards have been collected by registered voters in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. The figure was announced on Thursday by the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, as the commission intensified preparations for the August 15 poll. INEC also disclosed that 426,842 PVCs remain uncollected, meaning that a significant number of registered voters may not be able to participate in the election if they do not possess their voter cards.
The commission said the number of collected PVCs represents the pool of registered voters eligible to vote across the state, while election officials and security agencies continue final preparations for the exercise. Sensitive electoral materials have already been distributed, while thousands of personnel, including members of the National Youth Service Corps serving as ad hoc election officials, have been mobilised. INEC has also been working with security agencies to identify potential flashpoints and strengthen arrangements aimed at ensuring that voters can cast their ballots without intimidation or disruption.
The Osun election is expected to be closely contested, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking another term against APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and candidates from several other parties. With voting scheduled for Saturday, INEC has repeatedly appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to respect the peace process and avoid actions that could undermine the poll. The commission and other stakeholders have also urged voters to remain peaceful, exercise their franchise responsibly and protect the integrity of the electoral process as Osun prepares for the governorship election.
