As the August 16 bye-elections approach in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concern over 101,617 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), even as it declared its full readiness to conduct credible polls in Ovia Federal Constituency and Edo Central Senatorial District.
Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, disclosed this during a media briefing in Benin City and urged registered voters to collect their PVCs to ensure their participation in the elections.
“We still have 101,617 voter cards yet to be collected. The people must play their part by collecting them. No election can be successful without the participation of the electorate,” he said.
Onuoha assured that INEC had completed all major preparations, including the configuration and charging of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), deployment of non-sensitive materials to local government areas, and extensive training of electoral officers.
“We are set for a seamless election. All logistics are in place, and our team is well prepared,” he added.
Addressing calls for his redeployment, the REC described such demands as misinformed and based on a lack of understanding of INEC’s operations.
He also cited the Supreme Court’s validation of the 2024 Edo Governorship Election as evidence of the Commission’s credibility.
“The highest court in the land affirmed that we conducted a credible election. Anyone suggesting otherwise is not telling the truth,” he stated.
Responding to inquiries about the Labour Party’s absence from the Edo Central Senatorial bye-election, Dr. Onuoha explained that the party did not indicate interest or conduct primaries monitored by INEC, and therefore will not be on the ballot.
He reiterated INEC’s commitment to transparency and public engagement, stressing that elections are a collective civic responsibility.
