The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a warning to persons without Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to avoid polling centers during the Nov. 16 governorship election in Ondo State. INEC National Commissioner Supervising Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, presented the warning at the presentation of soft copies of the voter register to political parties. Ajayi pledged the commission’s readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election, stating that 2,053,006 eligible voters were registered. He urged political party representatives to mobilize their supporters to collect PVCs, and civil society organizations and media outlets to use their platforms to encourage the general public, registrants, and eligible voters to come out en masse.
Ajayi stated that the collection of PVCs would not be by proxy as it was against the law. He also called on Persons With Disability (PWD) and PWD-focused organizations to encourage any PWD to collect their PVCs. The commission has made adequate provisions for assistive devices to ensure a seamless voting experience for all PWDs in the upcoming election.
Ondo All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, applauded the commission for its timely presentation of the voters register, stating that it would enable political parties to mobilize and educate their supporters to come out in mass to vote on election day.
He emphasized the importance of voter education and urged all eligible voters to participate in the electoral process. Adetimehin also commended INEC for its efforts in ensuring a free, fair, and credible election in Ondo State.
