INEC records 1.05 million voters as PVC collection hits 97.1% in Ekiti poll readiness

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that a total of 1,059,360 registered voters are expected to participate in the forthcoming Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 20 June 2026.

The figure follows the completion of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) clean-up exercise in the state, which saw the voter register rise from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.

In a statement signed on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission also confirmed that the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) has been concluded ahead of the poll.

According to INEC, PVC collection figures increased significantly from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026, representing 97.1 per cent of registered voters in the state.

The Commission noted that the PVC collection exercise, initially scheduled to end on 11 June 2026, was extended to 14 June 2026 following consultations with stakeholders in Ado-Ekiti.

Haruna explained that the extension was aimed at ensuring broader participation and giving eligible voters additional opportunity to collect their cards before the election.

INEC further disclosed that 14,406 applications were received for the replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs, in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates the Commission to provide replacement cards for affected voters.

“All 14,406 replacement PVCs were printed, and most have already been collected,” the statement said.

The Commission, however, noted that the option of downloadable voter cards could not be deployed for the Ekiti election due to incomplete technological infrastructure, adding that the facility would be introduced in subsequent elections, including the Osun Governorship Election scheduled for August 2026 and the 2027 general elections.

INEC said a detailed breakdown of PVC collection across all local government areas has been published on its website and official social media platforms for public access.

It expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties and the media for their role in mobilising citizens to participate in the electoral process.

Reaffirming its readiness, the Commission urged all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to come out on election day and vote peacefully.

“INEC remains committed to delivering a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election in Ekiti State,” the statement added.