The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified the 649,841 Permanent Voter Cards yet to be collected in Oyo State as a major concern ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission said the large number of uncollected PVCs could affect voter participation and the credibility of the forthcoming elections if eligible voters failed to collect their cards.
Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Adeniran Tella, raised the concern during the commission’s maiden zonal stakeholders’ engagement in the state, organised as part of preparations for the 2027 polls.
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Tella disclosed that Oyo had 3,588,111 registered voters, making it the sixth state with the highest number of registered voters in the country.
However, he said 649,841 PVCs remained in the commission’s custody, urging eligible voters to collect their cards before the elections.
The REC identified PVC collection as one of the critical factors that would determine the credibility of the 2027 exercise.
He also disclosed that INEC planned to deploy artificial intelligence to support its operations and improve efficiency during the forthcoming general elections.
In his goodwill message, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, represented by Chief Abiola Iyiola, commended INEC for engaging stakeholders ahead of the polls.
Ladoja urged the commission to ensure that the 2027 elections were conducted in an unbiased, transparent and fair manner.
He also called on political parties to respect electoral rules and regulations to ensure a credible exercise.
The engagement brought together electoral stakeholders as INEC began consultations across the state's zones ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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