By Olokuta Rofiat
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has raised concern over the large number of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards PVCs in Ondo State ahead of the November 2025 governorship election.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, revealed on Monday that 295,856 PVCs remain unclaimed.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, she warned that the situation could affect the credibility of the election and significantly reduce voter turnout.
“The number is too high for a state preparing for a major election. We must act quickly to ensure voters are not disenfranchised,” she said.
Babalola urged political parties, civil society groups, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to help mobilize citizens to collect their cards.
She noted that despite decentralizing the distribution process to wards and local government areas, public response has been poor.
INEC says preparations for the poll are ongoing, with non-sensitive materials already being distributed, voter education underway, and recruitment of ad-hoc staff in progress.
However, it stressed that voter participation begins with PVC collection.
Party representatives at the meeting pledged to support INEC’s mobilization efforts and suggested extending the collection window and expanding grassroots sensitization.
With the election approaching, INEC’s message is clear, nearly 300,000 unclaimed PVCs represent lost voices that could shape the outcome of a pivotal election.
