Group Urges INEC, Security Agencies to Ensure Safe PVC Collection Ahead of Osun Governorship Election

By Ayobami Agboola

A civic advocacy group has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a safe, orderly and seamless Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The call was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Advocate for Citizens’ Peace, Justice and Democratic Accountability, Mr. Ogundijo M. Amos, who stressed the need for eligible voters to collect their PVCs without fear, intimidation or unnecessary hardship.

Addressing the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Babalola, the group said INEC has a constitutional responsibility to protect the integrity of the PVC distribution process across the state.

According to the statement, the PVC remains the instrument through which citizens exercise their democratic right to vote, warning that any situation capable of discouraging or frustrating eligible voters could erode public confidence in the electoral process.

The group urged INEC to ensure that all designated PVC collection centres across the state’s local government areas are orderly, accessible, adequately staffed and free from political interference.

It also called on the commission to intensify public enlightenment through radio, television, social media and community engagement to educate residents on the locations of collection centres, the timetable for distribution and the procedures for collecting their voter cards.

The statement further appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to deploy adequate personnel to INEC offices and approved PVC collection centres across the state.

It noted that security operatives should provide protection for voters and electoral officials, maintain law and order, manage crowds where necessary and respond promptly to any attempt to harass, intimidate or disenfranchise eligible voters.

The group also advised prospective voters to visit their respective INEC local government offices with relevant identification documents, including their Temporary Voter Card (TVC), voter slip, registration acknowledgement slip or any official document that could assist officials in verifying their registration records.

It further encouraged voters to cooperate with INEC officials, adhere to the queue system and avoid actions capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the PVC collection exercise.