Osun 2026: INEC Suspends PVC Collection Ahead Of August 15 Governorship Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

According to Ireporter Online, the electoral commission announced the decision in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

INEC explained that the suspension would enable it to compile data on downloadable PVCs and finalise the statistics of voters who collected their cards ahead of the election.

The commission added that residents who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print their downloadable replacement cards.

The electoral body said the PVC collection exercise commenced at the Registration Area level on July 22 and was initially scheduled to run until July 28. However, the deadline was extended to July 31 following complaints from voters over large crowds and difficulties at some collection centres.

The exercise was subsequently moved to the local government level, where collection continued from August 1 to August 7.

INEC said the latest suspension would allow it to conclude the compilation of relevant data and establish the final number of PVCs collected across the state.

The commission also disclosed that downloadable replacement PVCs had been made available to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following incidents in which hoodlums reportedly invaded two collection centres and stole voters’ cards.

INEC urged affected applicants to print their replacement cards before the deadline, while reassuring the public that the stolen PVCs could not be used to cast ballots.

The electoral body called on eligible voters who had applied for replacement cards to take advantage of the remaining window before it closes.

With preparations for the governorship election entering their final stage, INEC reaffirmed its readiness to conduct the August 15 poll, promising a free, fair, credible and inclusive election.

The Osun governorship race is expected to be closely contested as political parties and their candidates intensify mobilisation and campaign activities ahead of the election.

Meanwhile, INEC has extended the deadline for political parties to upload the names and details of candidates for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for the February 2027 general elections.

Haruna disclosed that the deadline, which was initially fixed for Saturday, August 8, has now been extended to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

He explained that the extension followed requests from political parties seeking additional time to complete the submission and upload of their candidates’ details through the commission’s designated online platform.

INEC urged all political parties to utilise the additional period to complete the process before the revised deadline.