The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured residents that the reported attack on a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection centre in Osun State will not affect preparations for the upcoming governorship election.
INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Dayo Oketola, said the commission had reported the incident to the police, who have already begun investigations and are expected to recover the stolen materials and apprehend those responsible.
He stressed that the attack would not derail the commission’s plans, reaffirming INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election.
To ensure smooth operations, Oketola disclosed that INEC has configured 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, including 664 backup units, and established 97 Super Registration Area Centres (Super RACs) and 105 Registration Area Centres across Osun State.
He explained that any stolen equipment would be replaced, adding that the availability of backup BVAS devices ensures the election will proceed without disruption.
Oketola also noted that stolen PVCs cannot be used to vote because the BVAS system requires biometric verification, making impersonation impossible. He assured registered voters that administrative measures would be taken to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised as a result of the incident.
INEC called on residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies to protect electoral materials and help ensure a peaceful election.
