The Independent National Electoral Commission says the number of registered would-be voters in Ekiti increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026, while the number of Permanent Voter Cards collected rose from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026.

A statement on Wednesday by the INEC national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed the update and officially announced the conclusion of PVC collection ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

The electoral body stated that the increase in the number of registered voters followed the clean-up of the state’s voters’ register. 

It noted that the PVC collection rate rose to 97.1 per cent of total registered voters, compared to 97.0 per cent recorded in 2023.

“With regards to Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the Commission to make available to registered voters replacement PVCs in the event of the loss, damage or defacement of their original PVC, 14,406 applications were received within the stipulated time, and all 14,406 replacement PVCs were printed, most of which have been collected,” the statement said.

The INEC national commissioner noted that the option of providing downloadable copies of lost, damaged or defaced voter cards could not be implemented due to technological infrastructure constraints.

“The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 general election,” he stated.

Mr Haruna thanked stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties and the media, for mobilising citizens in the state to collect their PVCs and prepare for the forthcoming election.

“For the Ekiti state governorship election, all the PVCs were printed and made available for all eligible applicants, including those who requested a transfer or applied for the replacement of lost, damaged or defaced cards,” the commission said. 

It added that the detailed breakdown of PVC collection by local government areas had been uploaded on the commission’s website and social media platforms.

INEC also urged all registered would-be voters who have yet to collect their PVCs to participate in the election peacefully, while assuring residents of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and inclusive governorship election.