The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that there are 651,551 unclaimed Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) with the electoral body in Ogun State.

The electoral umpire, however, lamented what it called rapid decline of voters’ participation in electoral process in the state.

The new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr. Niyi Ijalaye, disclosed this on Wednesday at the INEC’s headquarters in Abeokuta while meeting journalists and political parties in the state.

The REC explained that the level of voters’ participation at every election year in the state declined rapidly.

He pointed out that in the last CVR exercise in the state, a total number of 1,126,247 PVCs were printed out of which 651,551 were uncollected.

He said although the state has recorded significant improvement in the ongoing CVR exercise which put the state figure to 85,600 compared to 22,167 registered voters in November 2021, there is need for political parties to mobilise their followers and other eligible citizens to take the advantage of the ongoing CVR exercise to register as voters in order to empower them to exercise their civic responsibilities.

“Distinguished participants, let me also remind you that PVCs are available for collection in all the 20 LGAs for those who are yet to collect their PVCs.

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“In the previous CVR exercise in Ogun State, a total number of 1,126,247 PVCs were printed. As at 21st March, there are 651,551 uncollected PVCs.

“Let me equally use this medium to reiterate the fact that our PVCs don’t expire and they can be used for all elections. As such, we need to encourage citizens to come and collect their PVC instead of doing double registration.

“Permit me to also draw your attention to the issue of voter apathy in the state. It is pertinent to note that the level of participation of voters in electoral process is declining in each election year.

“To this end, I will like to appeal to leaders of political parties to mobilize their followers and other eligible citizens to first take advantage of the ongoing CVR exercise to register as voters in order to empower them to exercise their civic responsibilities and also to come out and exercise their franchise in the 2023 general election and other future elections.”

The Star