Guber poll: 295,603 PVCs uncollected in Ondo – INEC
By Jubril Bada
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State has revealed that a total of 295,603 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected in the state.
The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, made this known during a press briefing held in Akure, the state capital, on Monday.
She announced that the distribution of PVCs would commence on 17th October across the 203 Registration Areas (RAs) and continue till 21st October, including the weekend, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, in all 18 local councils of the state.
Afterwards, Babalola stated, the distribution will move to the Local Government level from October 23 to 29, 2024.
She urged eligible voters to collect their PVCs, emphasising that timely distribution would foster greater voter participation and help ensure a credible and inclusive election.
In response to questions, the INEC Commissioner also disclosed that 11,799 security personnel from various security agencies would be deployed for the election, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to maintaining the neutrality of security operatives during the polls.
According to her, the security personnel have been undergoing training to equip them with the necessary skills to address the unique challenges expected before, during, and after the election.
The election security training programme, which began on October 14, will end on 16th October at the state level, with further sessions to take place in the three Senatorial Districts from 18 to 20 October.
Babalola further disclosed that 17,705 ad-hoc staff will be deployed at various levels for the election.
On the training of the Commission’s staff, she mentioned that all 18 Electoral Officers and their assistants had completed a five-day technical training, highlighting that this was necessary due to the sensitive nature of their duties and the need to improve their proficiency.
She also noted that the Commission would publish the official voters’ register for the election on October 15, adding that political campaigns must end by November 14, 2024, as stipulated by the electoral guidelines.