Oyo: Over 700,000 PVCs not yet collected – INEC

THE Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) says over 700,000 Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs) are yet to be collected in all the 33 local government areas in Oyo state.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Barrister Mutiu Agboke stated this during a courtesy visit to the members of the State House of Assembly ahead of 2019 general elections.

The visit according to INEC REC was to seek the collaboration of the state lawmakers on how to ensure a successful conduct of 2019 general elections in the state

Analysing the PVCs distribution so far in the state, Barrister Mutiu Agboke said out of 2.5 million PVCs received, the commission has districted over 1.7 million while 756,732 permanent voters card are unclaimed.

The INEC REC in his Analysis explained further that Ibadan North Local Government has the highest number of uncollected PVCs with 73,602 while Atisbo has the lowest number uncollected voter cards with just 2,624.

Other local governments that have highest number of uncollected PVCs included, Akinyele 36,769, Atiba 22,112 Egbeda 42,748, Ibadan North East 43,323, Ibadan North West 35,860 Ibadan South East 64,860, Ibadan South West 63,501 Oluyole 32,112, Ido 28,814 and Ogbomoso North 29,139

In his remarks, the speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Olagunju Ojo said the visit of the Oyo INEC Team was to partner with the Oyo State House of Assembly on the sensitisation of the people ahead of 2019 general elections.

The number one legislator in the state assured of the lawmakers readiness to co- operate with INEC towards ensuring the collection of PVCs by the residents.

Some lawmakers in their separate contributions urged INEC to intensify more efforts in its sensitisation especially on voter education and vote buying by the politician.

The on going voter registration exercise will be suspended on 17th of August.