The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the number of registered voters in Ekiti State has increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.
Naijaonpoint reports that INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
The commission said the figure was released following the successful conclusion of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.
According to INEC, the number of PVCs collected in the state also rose from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026.
The commission said the latest figure represents a PVC collection rate of 97.0 per cent and 97.1 per cent of registered voters.
INEC said the PVC collection exercise, which was initially scheduled to end on June 11, 2026, was extended to June 14, 2026.
The extension, according to the commission, followed consultations with stakeholders at a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The commission said the extension was aimed at giving eligible voters more time to collect their cards before the governorship election.
INEC commended stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties and the media, for supporting the mobilisation of citizens to collect their PVCs.
The commission also said it received 14,406 applications for replacement PVCs within the stipulated period.
It explained that the applications were made in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides for the replacement of PVCs in cases of loss, damage or defacement.
INEC said all 14,406 replacement PVCs were printed, adding that most of them had been collected by the applicants.
“For the Ekiti State Governorship Election, all the PVCs were printed and made available for all eligible applicants, including those who requested a transfer or applied for the replacement of lost, damaged or defaced cards,” the statement said.
INEC, however, said the option of downloading lost, damaged or defaced voter cards could not be implemented for the Ekiti governorship election.
The commission explained that the necessary technology infrastructure for the initiative had not been completed.
“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged, or defaced Voter Cards could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed,” INEC said.
“The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election.”
INEC said a detailed breakdown of PVC collection by local government area had been uploaded on its website and social media platforms.
The commission urged all registered voters who had collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on election day.
It also reassured the people of Ekiti State of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election.
The commission said it would continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that the poll is conducted smoothly and in line with electoral guidelines.
