By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the option of getting a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged, or defaced voter cards would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 general election.
This was contained in a statement by Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Wednesday, June 18, while giving an update on the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
The electoral commission noted that the number of registered voters in Ekiti State has increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.
It added that the number of PVCs collected ahead of the election has risen from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026, representing a collection rate of 97 percent, and 97.1 percent of total registered voters.
INEC announced that it had successfully concluded the collection of PVCs ahead of the governorship election in the state scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ahead of the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled to hold on Saturday, 20th June 2026.
“Following the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the State on Thursday, 15th May 2026 and the subsequent clean-up of the voters’ register, the number of registered voters in the State has increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026,” the statement read.
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Recall that the PVC collection exercise, originally scheduled to end on June 11, 2026, was extended to June 14, 2026, following consultations with stakeholders at a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.
With regard to Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to make available to registered voters replacement PVCs in the event of loss, INEC said a total of 14,406 applications for the replacement of damaged or defaced original PVCs were received within the stipulated time and printed, most of which have been collected.
“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged, or defaced voter cards could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed.
“The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 general election,” the statement read.
The commission appreciated stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties, and the media, for their support in mobilising citizens to collect their PVCs and prepare for the forthcoming election.
INEC added that for the Ekiti State governorship election, all PVCs were printed and made available for all eligible applicants, including those who requested a transfer or applied for the replacement of lost, damaged, or defaced cards.
“A detailed breakdown of PVC collection by Local Government Area (LGA) has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms,” the statement added.
The electoral commission urged all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on Election Day.
It reassured the people of Ekiti State of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and inclusive governorship election.
