The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says more than 1.9 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected ahead of the Osun governorship election.
In a statement on Thursday, Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said 1,906,390 PVCs had been collected out of the 2,339,233 registered voters in the state.
“Out of the total of 2,339,233 registered voters in the state, 1,906,390 PVCs, representing 81.50 per cent, have been collected. The remaining 426,842 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent, have been safely deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in line with the Commission’s established practice,” INEC said.
The commission added that some voters whose PVCs were damaged, defaced or lost had applied for replacement cards.
“Similarly, it should be noted that some persons with damaged, defaced, or lost PVCs applied for replacement of their cards. A total of 6,101 among those who applied printed downloadable copies of their PVCs,” the commission said.
INEC said it had also published on its website a polling-unit-by-polling-unit breakdown of the PVCs collected.
The electoral commission reassured political parties, civil society organisations, the media and residents of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive election on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Meanwhile, expectations are mounting among candidates and voters as the state approaches the governorship poll.
With the election just days away, the Nigeria Police Force is stepping up preparations, deploying thousands of personnel across Osun State’s 30 local government areas to help ensure a peaceful and credible election.
Police sources and official statements indicate that at least four officers will be deployed to each of the state’s 3,673 polling units.
The figure does not include personnel from other security and sister agencies that are expected to support the election-day security arrangements.
