INEC Says PVC Received For Voters In Ondo Fully Accounted For, None Missing

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State has assured that all Permanent Voters Cards, PVC received by the Commission have been accounted for.

The commission dismissed allegations of missing PVCs in Iwaro-Oka, Akoko South-West Local Government Areas.

The clarification follows an online report, titled ‘INEC Must Probe Alleged Missing Voters’ Cards in Ondo’ where the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency,  Adeyeri Stephen, called for an investigation into the alleged disappearance of PVCs.

However, in a statement on Thursday, the Commission described the allegation as incorrect and misleading, maintaining that the situation arose from a misunderstanding of the categories of PVCs currently available for collection.

INEC explained that, ahead of the commencement of PVC collection and the display of the Register of Voters on October 9, 2026, it had informed the public that only cards belonging to registrants, who applied for voter transfers and those who enrolled during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, conducted between August and December 2025, were ready for collection.

According to the Commission, PVCs for registrants enrolled during the second and third phases of the CVR exercise are not yet available.

The Commission pointed out that its records showed that the number of PVCs received for Polling Unit 12, Igbeyinadun Quarters, Registration Area/Ward 07, Oka V/A Owalusin/Ayepe, in Akoko South-West Local Government Area, corresponded exactly with the number supplied by its national headquarters in Abuja.

“Every card received is accounted for,” the statement said, adding that the collection register contains the names of registrants from all three phases of the CVR exercise.

INEC explained that the inclusion of a registrant’s name in the register did not necessarily mean that the person’s PVC was ready for collection, noting that cards for some registrants have not yet been produced or delivered.

It consequently maintained that such cards could not be described as missing, insisting that there was no basis for an investigation into an incident that had not occurred.

The Commission urged politicians, political parties, candidates and members of the public to verify information with its Ondo State office before making public statements capable of generating unnecessary anxiety, suspicion or distrust in the electoral process.

It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and credible elections, adding that its officials remained available to provide clarification to stakeholders.

INEC also announced that PVC collection at the ward level has ended, while collection would continue at its offices across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State from Friday, October 16.

Registrants whose cards are ready were urged to collect them promptly, as the PVC remains the means of voting in elections.

Those with enquiries or complaints were advised to visit their respective INEC local government offices or the state office in Akure.

The statement further conveyed the assurance of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, that electoral outcomes would be determined solely by the votes cast by the electorate.

“Nothing will determine the winner of any election in Ondo State other than the votes of the people,” the statement quoted the REC as saying.