295,856 PVCs Abandoned! INEC Raises Alarm Ahead of Voter Registration Drive

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that no fewer than 295,856 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain unclaimed by registered voters in Ondo State. This disclosure comes as the Commission prepares to launch a new round of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in an effort to include eligible citizens who have yet to register.

According to iReporter Online, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, made the announcement during a consultative session with media stakeholders. She disclosed that the CVR exercise will commence on August 18, 2025, starting with an online pre-registration portal, followed by physical registration beginning August 25, 2025, at all 18 local government area offices and the state headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure.

Babalola stressed that the exercise is scheduled to continue until August 2026 but will be paused temporarily in December 2025 to allow the Commission to process and verify the data collected during the initial phase. The exercise is expected to resume in early 2026.

In her address, Babalola cautioned against multiple registrations, emphasizing that those who are already registered should not attempt to re-register. She cited Section 12(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, which criminalizes double registration and stipulates penalties including a ₦100,000 fine, a one-year prison term, or both. According to iReporter Online, this warning comes amid growing concerns over data duplication and fraudulent practices during voter registration periods.

She also called on political parties, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, and faith-based bodies to support INEC by mobilising citizens to participate in the registration drive. The commission believes that collective community involvement is crucial for the success of the upcoming electoral cycle.

According to iReporter Online, INEC’s renewed focus on grassroots engagement, transparency, and voter education is part of a broader nationwide effort to ensure a more credible and inclusive electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.