The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will wait for the outcome of a police investigation before deciding whether to reprint Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) stolen during an attack on its officials in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking to The Guardian on Monday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission was yet to determine its next course of action as it had not received the police report on the incident.
“We are waiting for the police report. The incident happened yesterday, and we need the findings of the investigation before taking any decision,” Haruna said.
When asked if the stolen PVCs would be reprinted before the election, he said it was too early to make that call.
“That depends on how quickly the police submit their report. With the election just days away, we cannot say anything for now,” he added.
The attack occurred on Sunday at Oyinlola DC Primary School in Ward 2 of Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where INEC officials were distributing PVCs to registered voters.
According to the Osun State Police Command, about 10 armed thugs stormed the distribution centre, fired several shots into the air, forcing electoral officials and residents to flee before escaping with three packs of PVCs.
Police spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan had condemned the attack and ordered a full investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Ojelabi said tactical and intelligence teams had been deployed to track down the suspects and recover the stolen PVCs.
He also urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could assist the investigation.
He warned that anyone attempting to exploit the incident to incite violence or disrupt public order would face the full weight of the law.
The incident has heightened security concerns ahead of the Osun governorship election, as political parties, the electoral commission and security agencies intensify preparations for the poll.
