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 during the Ondo North Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting in Owo.
Agboke, who also visited the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, said the collection of PVCs for voters who had transferred their registration would begin nationwide on October 9.
He explained that the exercise would be conducted at INEC offices at the ward level across the state, urging traditional rulers to use their influence to sensitise residents and encourage them to participate.
The REC expressed concern that the number of uncollected cards could increase with the ongoing registration of new voters, stressing that the commission was determined to prevent manipulation and other irregularities in the electoral process.
Agboke also urged politicians, voters and other stakeholders to reject vote-buying, violence and electoral manipulation, saying the outcome of elections should be determined solely by the choice of the electorate.
Responding, the Olowo of Owo, who is also Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, commended INEC for improving its operations and addressing shortcomings recorded in previous elections.
He pledged the cooperation of traditional rulers and expressed confidence that the 2027 elections would be credible.
The Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Adeleke Agbegbite-Adedoyin, called for increased voter education and advocacy, while the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress in Akoko North-West, Towoju Abayomi, urged security agencies and governments to remain impartial and advised voters to make informed choices.
