The Independent National Electoral Commission has appealed to traditional rulers in Ondo State to mobilise their subjects to collect more than 200,000 Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the appeal on Wednesday in Owo during a stakeholders’ meeting for the Ondo North Senatorial District.
Agboke, who also paid a courtesy visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, said the collection of PVCs for voters who had transferred their registration would commence nationwide on Friday, October 9.
He said the exercise would also be available at INEC offices at the ward level across the state.
The REC expressed concern that the number of uncollected cards could increase with the ongoing registration of new voters, urging traditional institutions to help sensitise residents on the need to obtain their cards.
Agboke said INEC was determined to ensure that the outcome of the 2027 elections was determined by voters’ choices rather than vote buying, violence or electoral manipulation.
He urged politicians, voters and other stakeholders to shun acts capable of disrupting the electoral process before, during and after the elections.
The Olowo of Owo and Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Ogunoye, pledged the support of traditional rulers for the commission’s activities, saying residents of the senatorial district were prepared for the 2027 elections.
The Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Adeleke Agbegbite-Adedoyin, also called for increased voter education and advocacy by INEC and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Africa Democratic Congress in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, Towoju Abayomi, urged the government and security agencies to remain impartial and ensure the integrity of the election.
He also advised voters to consider the long-term consequences of their choices when casting their ballots, warning that uninformed decisions could have serious consequences for the country.