35 Days To Osun Gov’ship Poll: Group Urges INEC To Release PVCs Immediately

-Warns Delayed Distribution Of PVCs
Could Fuel Voter Apathy

-Threatens Peaceful Protest

With 35 days remaining before the 2026 Osun State governorship election, a civil society organisation, Youths for Better Initiative, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately commence the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to eligible voters across the state.

The group expressed concern over what it described as the continued silence of the electoral commission regarding the release of PVCs, warning that any further delay could disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Oluomo Success, the organisation said the PVC remains the only legal instrument that enables citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote, stressing that elections cannot be credible if registered voters are unable to obtain their cards.

According to the group, the delay in PVC distribution may discourage many residents from participating in the election, thereby increasing voter apathy and weakening democratic participation.

The organisation urged the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, to urgently activate PVC collection centres across the state, extend collection hours, embark on intensive public awareness campaigns and provide a clear timetable for the distribution exercise.

“It is unacceptable that with less than 35 days to the governorship election, many eligible voters are still unable to collect their Permanent Voter Cards,” the statement read.

The group maintained that INEC should demonstrate its commitment to conducting a credible, free and inclusive election by ensuring that all registered voters have adequate opportunity to obtain their PVCs before election day.

It further warned that should the commission fail to act within the next few days, it would mobilise its members across the 30 local government areas of Osun State for a peaceful demonstration to demand an explanation for the delay.

“Youths for Better Initiative remains committed to promoting credible and inclusive elections. We therefore call on INEC to act without further delay by releasing the PVCs and ensuring that no eligible voter is denied the opportunity to participate in the democratic process,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission had disclosed that 2,333,233 voters are registered to vote.

This was disclosed at the presentation of electronic voter registers to political parties by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola at the commission’s office in Osogbo.

She said the exercise was provided for under the Electoral Act to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility in the electoral process.

Her words: “The total number of voters registered for the governorship election in the State stands at 2,339,233.” The statistics on the voters are presented in the document.