Key Takeaways
- INEC extends PVC collection by two days for Osun State governorship election
- Only 60% of newly registered voters have collected their PVCs so far
- INEC assures of a peaceful, credible, and transparent election
- Security agencies to be deployed to PVC collection centres
- Mock accreditation exercise to be conducted on August 1
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a two-day extension for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in preparation for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15. This decision was made due to the low turnout of voters during the initial collection period, with only 322,822 newly registered voters, representing about 60% of the total, collecting their PVCs as of the initial deadline.
Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated that the extension is aimed at giving more time to eligible voters to collect their PVCs, emphasizing that only those with valid voter cards will be able to participate in the election. The commission has also engaged security agencies to deploy patrol vehicles to PVC collection centres to ensure the safety of officials and voters during the extended exercise.
Election Preparations
Amupitan assured residents that INEC is fully prepared to conduct a peaceful, credible, and transparent governorship election, emphasizing that the outcome will be determined by the ballot box and not by violence. The commission has completed a comprehensive readiness assessment across the state’s 30 local government areas and has made necessary operational, technological, and logistical arrangements for the election.
A total of 2,339,233 registered voters will be eligible to vote in the election, with 14 political parties participating. INEC has configured and deployed 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, including backup units, to ensure seamless accreditation of voters. Voting will commence at 8:30 a.m. on election day, and Registration Area Centres (RACs) will open on August 14 to facilitate the deployment of personnel, election materials, and security operatives.
Security and Inclusivity
INEC has activated its Electoral Risk Management framework in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and other partners to identify flashpoints and strengthen security deployment in vulnerable areas. The commission has also made arrangements to ensure inclusive participation by providing braille ballot guides for visually impaired voters, magnifying glasses for persons with low vision, and priority queues for persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and the elderly.
Efforts are also being made to curb vote buying, with INEC working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to monitor both cash and electronic vote-buying during the election.
Why This Matters
The success of the Osun State governorship election is crucial for the democratic process in Nigeria, and INEC’s efforts to ensure a credible and transparent poll are vital for maintaining public trust in the electoral system. The election’s outcome will have significant implications for the state’s governance and development, making it essential for all stakeholders to work together to ensure a peaceful and successful election.