The distribution of sensitive election materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced in Ekiti State ahead of the governorship election and senatorial and House of Representatives by-elections scheduled for Saturday, 20 June 2026.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gathered at the Central Bank office in Ado Ekiti to sort the sensitive materials before transporting them to all 16 local government areas of the state.
The venue remained busy with election activities under heavy security, with police officers deployed to maintain order.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the exercise had progressed smoothly and assured residents that the materials would reach their destinations on schedule.
Meanwhile, INEC disclosed that the number of registered voters in the state rose from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Mohammed Haruna, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission also said the number of collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) increased from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026. This represents a collection rate of 97.0 per cent and covers 97.1 per cent of registered voters.
INEC said it had successfully concluded the PVC collection exercise ahead of the governorship election on Saturday, 20 June 2026.
The commission had initially planned to end PVC collection on 11 June 2026 but extended the exercise until 14 June following consultations with stakeholders at a meeting in Ado Ekiti.
Regarding Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to issue replacement PVCs to voters whose cards were lost, damaged or defaced, INEC said it received 14,406 applications within the stipulated period. It printed all the replacement cards, most of which have already been collected.
“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged, or defaced Voter Cards could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed.
“The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election.”