Osun poll: INEC begins PVC distribution as parties intensify campaigns

By Lawrence Agbo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to eligible voters ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship elections in Osun State, as political parties intensify campaigns across the state.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the exercise is for voters who registered, transferred their registration, applied for replacement of lost or damaged PVCs, or updated their records during the recently concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

According to the commission, PVC collection at the Registration Area (RA) level will hold from July 22 to July 28, while collection at Local Government Area offices will run from July 29 to August 7, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily, including weekends.

Babalola urged eligible voters to collect their cards within the stipulated period.

“The Permanent Voter Card remains the only valid means of accreditation for participation in the governorship election,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), the campaign organisation of Governor Ademola Adeleke, has called on INEC to strengthen safeguards ahead of the election, citing alleged irregularities observed in recent off-cycle polls.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo, the Director-General of the council, Senator Kamarudeen Oyewumi, said the concerns were based on reports by election observers, the council’s surveillance team and feedback from voters.

“Among the issues highlighted were the alleged deployment of insufficient ballot papers and other sensitive election materials, concerns over the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), alleged cases of already thumb-printed ballot papers, technical challenges associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and reports of voting without PVCs,” Oyewumi said.

The council also urged INEC to deploy additional BVAS machines and election officials to polling units with large voter populations to minimise delays and voter disenfranchisement.

It further called on INEC and security agencies to investigate allegations by some All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders regarding the preloading of BVAS machines and the printing of extra result sheets ahead of the poll.

On the campaign trail, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, assured residents of Ila that the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), would improve workers’ welfare, agriculture, education, healthcare and security if elected.

Basiru said the increase in federal allocations to states presents an opportunity for Osun to accelerate development under an APC administration.

“That is why we are endorsing AMBO. He understands governance, business and the economy, and we believe he will use these resources to build a better future for our children,” Basiru said.

He also pledged improved welfare for civil servants and greater support for farmers.

“Our civil servants deserve better welfare because they remain the engine of government. AMBO will support our farmers to produce more and create opportunities for their agricultural products to reach wider markets, bringing greater financial rewards to them,” he added.