The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 1,028,929 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected by registered voters in Ekiti State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday.

This was disclosed by Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja following the conclusion of the PVC distribution exercise.

According to Haruna, the number of registered voters in the state increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026 after the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on May 15 and the subsequent clean-up of the voter register.

He noted that PVC collection also recorded a slight increase, rising from 958,052 in 2023, representing 97.0 per cent of registered voters, to 1,028,929 in 2026, accounting for 97.1 per cent of the electorate.

Haruna recalled that the PVC collection exercise, initially scheduled to end on June 11, was extended to June 14 following consultations with stakeholders during a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.

He further explained that, in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, INEC provided replacement PVCs for voters whose cards had been lost, damaged, or defaced. A total of 14,406 applications for replacement cards were received within the stipulated period, and all replacement PVCs were produced, with the majority already collected.

The commissioner revealed that plans to introduce downloadable replacement voter cards could not be implemented for the Ekiti election because the required technological infrastructure is still being developed.

He, however, assured voters that the digital replacement option would be available in future elections, particularly the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 2026 and the 2027 general election.

Haruna commended traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties, and media organisations for their efforts in mobilising eligible voters to collect their PVCs and participate in the electoral process.

He added that all PVCs for eligible applicants, including those who applied for transfers or replacement cards, had been printed and made available for collection.

According to him, a detailed breakdown of PVC collection figures across the state's Local Government Areas has been published on the commission's website and social media platforms.

Haruna urged all voters who have collected their PVCs to come out peacefully on election day and exercise their democratic right, while reaffirming INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and inclusive governorship election in Ekiti State.