The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were handed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for distribution to non-indigenes to vote in Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election.
The allegation was made in a viral video by Isaac Fayose, a social media activist , who claimed that uncollected PVCs were being used to influence the election process.
Reacting to the claim, INEC Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, described the allegation as false and inconsistent with Nigeria’s current electoral process, stressing that possession of a PVC alone does not guarantee the right to vote.
Ifogah who spoke to LEADERSHIP in Abuja said, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) remains the mandatory gateway for voter accreditation at polling units and was designed to prevent impersonation and multiple voting.
He explained that before a voter can be issued a ballot paper, the individual must undergo biometric accreditation through fingerprint or facial verification linked to the voter’s registration details.
“Claims suggesting that possession of another person’s PVC automatically allows voting do not reflect the realities of the electoral process. Accreditation through BVAS is required before a ballot can be issued,” he said.
Ifogah further stated that the commission has repeatedly emphasised that the Electoral Act and election guidelines provide safeguards aimed at ensuring that only duly accredited voters participate in elections.
He urged members of the public to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports capable of creating unnecessary tension or undermining confidence in the electoral process.
The INEC official also reiterated the commission’s commitment to neutrality and assured voters in Ekiti State that election officials were expected to adhere strictly to established procedures.
INEC had earlier warned against misinformation and fake news ahead of the Ekiti governorship election, describing disinformation as a threat to public confidence and the peaceful conduct of polls.
