By Ado Oyeyemi
The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed allegations of missing Permanent Voter Cards in Iwaro-Oka, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, insisting that all cards received by its state office have been accounted for.
The commission described the allegation as incorrect and misleading, saying the apparent shortage resulted from the fact that PVCs for some registrants were not yet ready for collection.
The clarification followed a statement attributed to the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate for Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency, Adeyeri Stephen, calling for an investigation into alleged missing PVCs in the community.
In a statement issued on Thursday, INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Ondo State, Mr Olayinka Ogunseye, said the commission had earlier explained that only PVCs belonging to applicants who requested transfers and those who registered during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise were available for collection.
He said the first phase of the exercise ran from August to December 2025, adding that cards for registrants in the second and third phases were not yet available.
According to the commission, its records show that the number of PVCs received for Polling Unit 12, Igbeyinadun Quarters, Registration Area/Ward 07, Oka V-A Owalusin/Ayepe, in Akoko South-West Local Government Area, corresponds with the number supplied by its national headquarters in Abuja.
INEC explained that although the collection register contains the names of registrants from all three phases of the exercise, not all the cards are ready for collection.
It said the presence of a registrant’s name on the collection register did not necessarily mean that the person’s PVC had been produced and delivered.
The commission, therefore, maintained that cards yet to be produced or supplied could not be classified as missing, insisting that there was no basis for an investigation into an allegation it described as unfounded.
INEC urged politicians, political parties, candidates and members of the public to verify information with its Ondo State office before making public statements capable of creating unnecessary anxiety, suspicion or eroding confidence in the electoral process.
It reiterated its commitment to transparency and credible elections, adding that its officials remained available to clarify issues raised by stakeholders.
The commission also announced that Thursday, October 15, was the last day for PVC collection at the ward level.
It said collection would continue from Friday, October 16, at INEC offices in all 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
Registrants whose cards are ready were urged to collect them promptly, while those with enquiries or complaints were advised to visit their respective local government offices or the commission’s state office in Akure.
INEC further assured residents that the electoral process in the state would be guided by the people’s votes.
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Ogunseye, who issued the statement on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, reaffirmed the commission’s position that no factor other than the votes cast by the electorate would determine the winner of any election in Ondo State.
