The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says a total of 1,531,974 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) have been collected by prospective voters in Ondo State. 

Rufus Akeju, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, disclosed this to journalists in Akure. 

Mr Akeju said aside from the figure dated October 31, no fewer than 313,200 PVC are also yet to be collected by their owners in the state with less than three months to the polls.

“A total of PVCs distributed as of 31st October 2022 is 1,531,974; the total uncollected PVCs as of 31st October, 2022 is 313, 200; total number of Polling Units is 3,933; total number of Registration Area (RA) is 203. 

“A total number of registered voters as at now in Ondo State is 2,047,598, while the total PVCs received as at 31st October, 2022 was 1,843,516,” he told reporters on Friday. 

Mr Akeju’s revelation came as INEC had fixed February and March 2023 for the presidential and National Assembly elections in the country. 

The electoral body has said no less than eighteen political parties have fielded presidential candidates for the election. 

Ahead of the election, INEC had fixed December 10, 2022 and January 22, 2023, for the collection of the PVCs in all the 774 LGA offices of the electoral body. 

Speaking further, Mr Akeju said that a total of 2,047,598 voters have registered across the over 3009 polling units in the state in the last registration. 

He revealed that sensitive and non-sensitive materials meant for the conduct of the 2023 election have been received by the state’s INEC. 

“A total of 3,933 BVAS; 5,329 ballot boxes; 23,598 sleeping mats; 4,130 gum and 2,224 voting cubicles have so far been taken delivery of in the state. 

“The number of Collation Centres is as follows: RA Collation centres,  203; LGA Collation Centers is 18; state Constituency Collation Centers is 26; Federal Constituency Collation Centers is 9; Senatorial District Collation Centers is 3 and State Collation Center is one,” the Ondo REC added. 

While assuring the residents of Ondo of a free and fair election in 2023, Mr Akeju revealed that the electoral body has started aggressive voter campaigns in the state. 

“Education, enlightenment, awareness and mobilization of the public on electoral processes for the 2023 general elections has since commenced in Ondo State.

“However, for adequate sensitization of the public, the Voter Education and Publicity Department in Ondo State has branded a Toyota Hilux for this purpose,” he said.