Edo State residents, please collect your Permanent Voter Cards for the Governorship Elections, says INEC

As the governorship elections in Edo State approach, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the commencement of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection for newly registered voters starting August 22, 2024. This important announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja on Monday.

The Edo governorship election is scheduled for September 21, 2024. During the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Edo State, a total of 184,438 voters were registered. This figure comprises 119,206 new registrations, alongside inter-state and intra-state transfers, as well as requests for corrections and replacements.

Prof. Yakubu confirmed the successful delivery of all newly printed PVCs to INEC’s office in Benin City, emphasizing that these cards are now ready for collection. Registered voters can collect their PVCs at any of the 192 Wards in Edo State from August 22 to August 26, 2024, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, including weekends. Afterward, collection will transition to INEC’s Local Government offices from August 28 to September 8, 2024, during the same hours.

In his address, Yakubu reiterated the importance of personal collection of PVCs to mitigate electoral malpractice, stating, “The cards will not be distributed or collected by proxy so that they do not end up in the wrong hands.” He strongly urged all voters to take the time to collect their PVCs in person and to participate in the voting process on Election Day.

Furthermore, Yakubu announced that similar arrangements for PVC collection are being finalized for Ondo State, where the governorship election is scheduled for November. He reassured the electorate in Ondo State that details regarding their PVC collection will be communicated shortly.

In preparation for the upcoming elections, it is crucial for eligible voters to ensure they collect their PVCs and engage actively in the electoral process. Informed participation is vital for the democratic process, and the INEC is committed to facilitating a transparent and efficient voting system.