By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN — As part of preparations for the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State has announced the commencement of the distribution and collection of the first batch of 77,015 newly printed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The exercise will run for seven days, starting from Friday, October 9, to Thursday, October 15, 2026, across the 351 registration areas and wards in the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Professor Adeniran Rahmon Tella, made this known in a media release issued in Ibadan, noting that the collection centres will open daily from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, including weekends.
According to the release, the exercise will cover 351 registration areas/wards across the state in its first phase, with a timeframe from October 9 to October 15, 2026 (9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily).
Moreover, Newly registered voters, those who lost their previous cards, voters requesting polling unit transfers, and owners of damaged or defaced PVCs from the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exerciseare expected to visit the locations to pick up there PVC.
The exercise will also incorporate the collection of all unclaimed old PVCs printed during the 2023 general elections.
Professor Tella enjoined the electorate and relevant stakeholders to maximize the opportunity at their respective registration areas.
He clarified that following the expiration of the seven-day ward-level exercise, the distribution and collection of PVCs will move permanently to the 33 INEC local government area offices across the state, maintaining the same daily operating hours.
Addressing rumors on social media, the REC firmly dismissed reports claiming that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is still ongoing. He stressed that the CVR window officially closed on July 26, 2026, and urged members of the public to disregard online misinformation.
“The commission is assuring the public that more batches of newly printed PVCs will subsequently be received and deployed across the state,” Tella stated, reinforcing INEC’s commitment to ensuring every eligible voter gets their card ahead of the polls.
