By David Lawani
A total of 1,028,929 eligible voters are set to participate in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive poll.
The commission disclosed on Wednesday that the number of registered voters in the state has increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026, while Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection rose to 1,028,929, representing about 97 per cent of registered voters.
The figures were released following the successful conclusion of the PVC collection exercise ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.
In a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, INEC said the high PVC collection rate underscored the readiness of Ekiti voters to participate in the electoral process.
“The number of Permanent Voter Cards collected has risen from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026, representing a collection rate of 97.0 per cent and 97.1 per cent of registered voters,” Haruna said.
The commission noted that the PVC collection exercise, initially scheduled to end on June 11, was extended to June 14 following consultations with stakeholders at a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.
According to INEC, all PVCs belonging to eligible applicants, including those who applied for transfers or replacement of lost, damaged or defaced cards, were printed and made available for collection before the close of the exercise.
The electoral body further disclosed that 14,406 applications for replacement PVCs were received within the stipulated period in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
INEC said all replacement cards had been produced, and their owners had already collected the majority.
The commission, however, explained that its planned innovation, allowing voters to download copies of lost, damaged, or defaced PVCs, could not be introduced for the Ekiti election because the required technological infrastructure had not yet been completed.
“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged or defaced voter card could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed.
“The option will be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship Election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election,” the statement added.
INEC commended traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties and the media for supporting voter mobilisation efforts and encouraging citizens to collect their PVCs ahead of the election.
The commission also announced that a detailed breakdown of PVC collection across the state’s 16 local government areas had been published on its website and social media platforms.
As political parties conclude campaigns and make final appeals to voters, INEC urged all eligible citizens who have collected their PVCs to come out peacefully and exercise their democratic rights.
“We urge all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on Election Day,” Haruna said.
*INEC assures free, fair, credible governorship election
The commission reassured residents of Ekiti State that all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the smooth conduct of the election.
“We remain committed to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election,” the statement added.
Saturday’s election is expected to test the strength of the state’s major political parties and determine who succeeds Governor Biodun Oyebanji in steering Ekiti’s affairs over the next four years.
