Security has been heightened at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office along the Gbongan-Ibadan Road in Osogbo, Osun State, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
A heavy presence of security personnel was observed at the INEC premises, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force, as final preparations for the election intensified.
The security personnel are expected to be deployed across the state’s 30 local government areas as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
Other election stakeholders, including civil society organisations, journalists and accredited observers, were also present at the INEC office ahead of the poll.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, was also said to be holding meetings with National Commissioners and supporting Resident Electoral Commissioners from other states as final arrangements for the election were concluded.
The election is scheduled to take place across 3,763 polling units in 332 wards and the 30 local government areas of the state.
1.9 Million PVCs Collected
INEC said on Thursday that more than 1.9 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been collected by registered voters ahead of the election.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this in a statement.
According to him, the figure represents 81.50 per cent of the 2,339,233 registered voters in the state.
“Out of the total of 2,339,233 registered voters in the State, 1,906,390 PVCs, representing 81.50 per cent, have been collected. The remaining 426,842 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent, have been safely deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in line with the Commission’s established practice,” the commission said.
INEC also disclosed that some registered voters whose PVCs were damaged, defaced or lost had applied for replacement cards.
The commission said 6,101 applicants who requested replacement had successfully printed downloadable copies of their PVCs.
With security agencies, election officials, observers and other stakeholders already deployed across the state, INEC said preparations were continuing ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
