INEC reports low turnout as 32,518 PVCs await collection in Kwara

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made 32,518 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) available for collection in Kwara State, amid concerns over the low turnout of eligible voters to collect their cards.

The Head of Public Affairs and Protocol Unit of INEC in Kwara State, AbdulKadir Ibrahim, disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking with Western Post.

Ibrahim explained that the available cards were issued following voter transfers, replacements, updates to personal information and reviews conducted in 2025 and during previous voter registration exercises. He clarified that the cards for newly registered voters were not yet ready for collection.

He added that the collection exercise was taking place alongside the display of the National Register of Voters at Registration Area Centres, also known as ward centres, across the state’s 193 wards.

According to the INEC official, the display and collection exercise commenced on Friday, October 9, and was scheduled to run until Thursday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Ibrahim said the available PVCs would be moved from the ward-level centres to 16 designated collection centres at local government offices from Thursday, urging eligible voters to take advantage of the current arrangement.

He acknowledged that turnout had been low, appealing to residents who were yet to collect their cards to do so at the ward centres while the facilities remained accessible within their communities.

The INEC official also assured prospective voters that the PVCs for newly registered applicants would be made available soon, urging eligible residents to collect their cards promptly to avoid unnecessary delays ahead of future electoral activities.