The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a significant increase in voter registration and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection ahead of the Ekiti 2026 governorship election, with registered voters rising to 1,059,360 and PVC collection reaching 97.1 per cent.
Key Highlights
- Registered voters increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026
- PVC collection rose from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026
- Collection rate stands at 97.1% of registered voters
- INEC received and processed 14,406 applications for replacement PVCs
- Ekiti governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026
- Detailed PVC collection data by local government has been published online
- INEC assures residents of a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election
In a statement issued on Wednesday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, officially declared the conclusion of PVC collection for the forthcoming Ekiti governorship election.
According to the commission, the increase in voter registration figures followed a comprehensive clean-up of the state’s voter register, resulting in the total number of registered voters rising from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.
The electoral body also disclosed that the number of collected PVCs increased from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026, representing a collection rate of 97.1 per cent, slightly above the 97.0 per cent recorded during the previous election cycle.
Haruna stated that in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, the commission received 14,406 applications from voters seeking replacement PVCs due to loss, damage, or defacement.
“All 14,406 replacement PVCs were printed and made available for collection, with most applicants already collecting their cards,” the statement noted.
INEC, however, explained that its planned initiative to provide downloadable copies of lost, damaged, or defaced voter cards could not be implemented for the Ekiti election due to technological infrastructure limitations.
The commission assured voters that the innovation would be introduced in future elections, including the forthcoming Osun State governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 general elections.
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Haruna commended traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties, and media organisations for supporting voter mobilisation efforts across the state.
The commission reiterated that all PVCs for eligible applicants, including those who requested transfers or replacements, were successfully printed and distributed before the conclusion of the collection exercise.
INEC further disclosed that the detailed breakdown of PVC collection across the 16 local government areas in Ekiti State has been uploaded to its official website and social media platforms for public access.
As preparations intensify for Ekiti 2026 election, the electoral umpire urged all registered voters to participate peacefully in the election while reaffirming its commitment to delivering a transparent, credible, and inclusive electoral process.
