The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says more than 1.9 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected across Osun State as preparations enter the final stage for Saturday’s governorship election.
The commission announced that 1,906,390 PVCs have been collected by registered voters, representing 81.50 percent of the state’s 2,339,233 registered voters.
The update provides one of the clearest indicators yet of voter readiness ahead of the August 15 governorship poll, which will determine whether incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke secures another term or whether the opposition All Progressives Congress returns to power in the state.
Over 426,000 PVCs remain uncollected
Despite the high collection rate, INEC disclosed that 426,842 PVCs, representing 18.50 percent of registered voters, remain unclaimed.
According to the commission, the uncollected cards have been transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for safekeeping in line with its established procedures.
The commission explained that this practice is designed to secure sensitive electoral materials after the collection period has ended.
By moving the remaining PVCs into secure custody, INEC says it aims to protect the integrity of the election process and prevent unauthorised access to voter cards.
Replacement PVC applicants receive digital copies
INEC also provided an update on voters who applied to replace damaged, defaced or lost voter cards.
The commission said 6,101 applicants successfully downloaded replacement copies of their PVCs after completing the necessary process.
The replacement exercise forms part of INEC’s efforts to ensure that eligible voters who experienced problems with their original cards are not automatically excluded from participating in the election.
Such replacement procedures have become increasingly important in elections where lost or damaged voter cards could otherwise reduce voter participation.
Polling-unit data made public
In another move aimed at improving transparency, INEC said it has published a polling-unit-by-polling-unit breakdown of PVC collection across Osun State.
The detailed data has been made available through the commission’s official website.
Publishing polling-unit statistics allows political parties, election observers, civil society organisations and members of the public to independently examine collection patterns across different parts of the state.
The measure is also intended to strengthen confidence in the commission’s election preparations by providing publicly accessible information about voter registration and card collection.
Election preparations enter final phase
The PVC update comes as Osun enters the final hours before campaigning formally ends and attention shifts to election-day logistics.
Saturday’s poll has become one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle governorship elections, with political parties increasing mobilisation efforts across the state’s 30 local government areas.
The contest is expected to feature a strong challenge between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke and APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, alongside candidates representing several other political parties.
The election has attracted significant national attention, with senior political figures from across the country participating in campaign activities during the final days before voting.
INEC reassures voters and stakeholders
Alongside the latest PVC figures, INEC reiterated its commitment to conducting a credible election.
The commission sought to reassure political parties, election observers, civil society organisations, media organisations and residents of Osun that preparations for Saturday’s poll are on track.
Election officials have repeatedly stated that sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials are being deployed according to schedule and that logistical arrangements are being finalised across the state.
The commission has also emphasised its commitment to transparency throughout the voting and result-collation process.
What the numbers mean
An 81.5 percent PVC collection rate suggests that a substantial majority of registered voters have the opportunity to participate in the election.
However, the more than 426,000 uncollected cards also represent a significant number of eligible voters who may not be able to cast ballots unless they had already completed the collection process before the deadline.
The figures therefore provide an indication of potential voter participation but do not necessarily predict actual turnout on election day.
Actual turnout will depend on factors including voter mobilisation, security conditions, transportation, weather and confidence in the electoral process.
Focus shifts to election day
With PVC collection now concluded and official campaigning drawing to a close, Osun’s governorship election is entering its decisive stage.
Political parties are expected to focus on voter mobilisation, deployment of polling agents and monitoring arrangements as voting begins across thousands of polling units on Saturday.
For INEC, the challenge now shifts from preparation to execution.
The commission’s ability to deliver voting materials on time, manage polling operations and ensure transparent collation of results will be closely scrutinised by political parties, observers and voters alike.
As millions of eligible voters prepare to head to the polls, the latest PVC figures suggest that most registered voters now possess the necessary credentials to participate in one of the state’s most significant elections in recent years.
The outcome will determine not only who governs Osun for the next four years but could also influence the political balance of power in Nigeria’s South-West ahead of future national elections.
