The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged residents of Oyo State to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the card as the most powerful tool citizens have to determine their future.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr. Adeniran Tella, made the call on Wednesday during a press conference in Ibadan, expressing concern that hundreds of PVCs are still lying unclaimed at INEC offices across the state.
Dr. Tella appealed to eligible voters who are yet to collect their cards to do so promptly, stressing that the PVC remains the only instrument through which citizens can vote during elections.
According to him, the PVC is far more than a mere identification document, but a critical licence that empowers voters to choose their leaders and demand accountability from those in power.
“Your voter’s card is not just a piece of PVC; it is your licence to shape the future, to choose your leaders and to hold them accountable,” he said. “The electorate should not be left out by failing to collect their PVCs.”
The REC reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting credible, transparent and fair elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that the commission has identified key challenges from previous exercises and is already working to address them.
He added that accessibility remains one of the major hurdles to voter registration and PVC collection in the state. To tackle this, INEC has introduced a state-wide rotational deployment of its Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) machines across the 351 Registration Areas in Oyo State.
Dr. Tella called on the media to support the commission by sensitising the public and encouraging eligible voters to participate actively in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, particularly those yet to collect their PVCs.
“Together, let us build a robust voter register that truly reflects the democratic will of the electorate,” he said.
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