The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State has appealed to traditional rulers to mobilize their subjects to collect more than 200,000 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the appeal on Wednesday in Owo during a stakeholders’ meeting for the Ondo North Senatorial District.
Agboke, who also visited the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, said the collection of PVCs for voters who had completed transfer procedures would commence nationwide on Oct. 9.
He said the exercise would also be conducted at designated INEC offices at the ward level across the state.
The REC said the commission was determined to strengthen the electoral process and eliminate loopholes that could undermine the credibility of elections.
He expressed concern that the number of uncollected PVCs could increase as the ongoing registration of new voters continues.
“I am here to solicit our royal majesty’s support to help us use the throne to talk to our people to go and collect their PVCs, starting from Friday, Oct. 9.
“We have over 200,000 PVCs uncollected in Ondo State. With the new or fresh registration, I’m sure the number will increase.”
Agboke urged politicians, voters and other stakeholders to reject electoral violence, vote-buying and other practices that could undermine the 2027 elections.
He said INEC was committed to ensuring that the outcome of elections was determined solely by voters’ choices.
“Our determination is to ensure that nothing determines the winner in an election. Not vote buying, not violence, not manipulation, but the vote of the people of Ondo, and that is where we stand.”
He clarified that the PVCs available for collection from Oct. 9 would initially be those belonging to voters who had completed transfer procedures.
Agboke said the stakeholders’ engagement aimed to educate the public and raise awareness of INEC’s expectations of all participants in the electoral process. Traditional Rulers Pledge Support
The Olowo of Owo and Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, commended INEC for strengthening its operations and addressing some of the challenges observed since 1999.
Ogunoye pledged the full cooperation of traditional rulers and expressed confidence that the 2027 general elections would be conducted in a manner acceptable to Nigerians.
“The people of Owo and the Northern Senatorial District express their readiness for the forthcoming 2027 general election.
“I want to assure INEC that citizens will turn out in large numbers to vote according to their choices,” he said.
Similarly, the Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Adeleke Agbegbite-Adedoyin, called for increased advocacy by INEC and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Agbegbite-Adedoyin commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as allowing votes to count in the Osun governorship election and urged stakeholders to work towards free, fair and transparent elections in 2027.
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Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, Towoju Abayomi, commended INEC and urged security agencies and governments at all levels to remain impartial during the elections.
He also advised voters to consider the country’s future when making their choices at the polls. “Voters should prioritize the future of the country when casting their votes because failure to make informed decisions could result in suffering,” he said.
 in Ondo State has appealed to traditional rulers to mobilize their subjects to collect more than 200,000 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.){kind=link}