The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a comprehensive breakdown of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) collected and uncollected on a polling unit basis in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections scheduled for Saturday, November 11, 2023.

The breakdown shows that out of 1,056,862 registered voters in Bayelsa State, 1,017,613 have collected their PVCs, while 39,249 remain uncollected. In Imo State, 2,318,919 PVCs have been collected out of 2,419,922 registered voters, leaving 101,003 uncollected. In Kogi State, 1,833,160 PVCs have been collected out of 1,932,654 registered voters, leaving 99,494 uncollected.

The Commission also disclosed that there are two polling units in Bayelsa State and 38 polling units in Imo State without registered voters.

INEC appealed to all stakeholders to note that any vote from a polling unit in excess of the number of PVCs collected amounts to overvoting. It also added that the number of PVCs collected will be used to compute the margin of lead principle.

The release of the polling unit level PVC collection data is a welcome development, as it will help to ensure transparency and accountability in the upcoming elections. It is also important to note that the Commission has stated that it is committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.