With the September elections fast approaching, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State has reported that 1,962,039 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected out of 2,501,081 registered voters, representing a collection rate of 78.4%.
However, concerns are growing as over 539,000 eligible voters are yet to collect their PVCs, sparking fears that they may be disenfranchised in the upcoming elections.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State, Mr. Johnson Alalibo, urged all registered voters to collect their PVCs before the expiration of the collection deadline, emphasizing that “no PVC, no voting.”
The September elections are crucial, with various political offices up for grabs, including governorship and state assembly seats. Political parties and stakeholders are intensifying their campaigns, but the low PVC collection rate threatens to undermine the electoral process.
Voters yet to collect PVCs by Local Government Area:
– Orhionmwon: 23,145
– Esan West: 20,509
– Esan Central: 18,321
– Etsako West: 16,492
– Uhunmwonde: 14,859
– Ikpoba-Okha: 13,419
– Egor: 12,654
– Oredo: 10,857
– Owan East: 9,421
– Akoko Edo: 7,893
INEC has assured voters that collection centers will remain open until the deadline, and voters are advised to take advantage of this opportunity to claim their PVCs and exercise their right to vote.
