The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that over 52,225 Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs) have yet to be collected across Bayelsa State.
According to the Commission, Ekeremor has the highest number of PVCs awaiting collection with 12,023, followed by Sagbama with 10,080 and Southern Ijaw, 7,115.
Yenagoa has 6,332; Brass, 6,211; Kolokuma/Opokuma, 3,712; Nembe, 3,620 and Ogbia, 3,132.
Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Shaka Ehimeakhe, revealed the figures at a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa.
Participants had raised concerns about electoral violence, misinformation, voter participation and logistical challenges affecting riverine communities.
Ehimeakhe urged political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to mobilise the registrants to collect their PVCs.
He commended political parties for their peaceful campaigns so far and urged them to sustain the atmosphere by focusing on policies and programmes rather than hate speech, personal attacks and misinformation.
Some stakeholders appealed to INEC to consider alternative arrangements for residents of remote riverine communities who face high transportation costs travelling to collect their cards.
They also urged the commission to publish voter registration and PVC collection figures to support targeted mobilisation and improve election logistics, particularly in communities accessible mainly by water.
On security, the state Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, urged political actors to place national interest above personal ambitions and avoid statements or actions capable of triggering violence.
The stakeholders also called for improved training and assessment of ad hoc election personnel, adequate protection of electoral materials and stronger coordination between INEC and security agencies to prevent errors and delays.
The meeting also emphasised the need to protect the participation rights of women, young people and persons with disabilities through voter education and accessible electoral arrangements.
Representatives of Women Organised for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN) and Do Foundation, Mrs Eunice Nnachi and Mrs Dise Ogbise- Harry, pledged support for voter education and sensitisation against electoral violence.
INEC announced at the meeting that its recruitment portal for prospective ad hoc staff members, which opened on September 18, 2026, would close at midnight on November 18, 2026.