The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency in Ondo State, Adeyeri Stephen, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have disagreed over allegations that some Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were missing in Iwaro-Oka, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Adeyeri urged the electoral commission to investigate complaints from residents who could not obtain their cards, but INEC dismissed the allegation, saying it had accounted for all PVCs received from its national headquarters.

In a statement issued in Akure, the NDC candidate said the reports raised concerns about eligible voters’ ability to participate in the 2027 general elections.

He urged INEC to investigate the circumstances behind the complaints and clarify the situation for affected residents.

“The commission should not take these reports lightly. Every eligible voter deserves the opportunity to obtain their voter card and participate in the electoral process without unnecessary difficulty,” he said.

Adeyeri warned that failure to address the concerns could fuel suspicion and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

“The credibility of an election begins with ensuring that eligible voters are not denied the opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights. INEC should investigate this matter without delay and provide clarity to the affected residents,” he added.

However, INEC responded swiftly, saying the allegation was incorrect and stemmed from a misunderstanding of the categories of PVCs available for collection.

In a statement signed by its Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Ondo State, Olayinka Ogunseye, the commission said the available cards belonged to applicants who transferred their voter registration and registrants captured during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

According to the commission, the first phase of the CVR exercise ran from August to December 2025, while PVCs for registrants captured during the second and third phases had not yet been produced or made available for collection.

INEC explained that the confusion arose because the collection register listed registrants from all three phases, although only cards for the first phase and transfer applicants were ready.

It identified the centre of the controversy as Polling Unit 12, Igbeyinadun Quarters, Registration Area/Ward 07, Oka V, A Owalusin/Ayepe, in Akoko South-West Local Government Area.

The commission said its records showed that the number of PVCs received for the polling unit matched the number supplied by its national headquarters in Abuja.

“Every card received is accounted for,” it said.

INEC maintained that cards yet to be produced could not be described as missing, ruling out the need for an investigation into the allegation.

It advised politicians, political parties and candidates to verify information with its state office before making public statements that could create anxiety or erode public confidence in the electoral process.

The commission also announced that PVC collection at ward level would end on Thursday, October 15, 2026, while collection would continue at its offices across the state’s 18 local government areas from Friday, October 16.

It urged registrants whose cards were ready to collect them promptly and advised those with enquiries or complaints to visit their respective INEC local government offices or the state office in Akure. (The Nation)