INEC has distributed 31,444 PVCs in Bayelsa as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections, with more cards allocated across eight LGAs
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed 31,444 new Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Bayelsa State as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mallam Isah Shaka, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2026 Election Stakeholders Forum held at the State Secretariat in Yenagoa.
Shaka said the distributed cards were part of the 52,225 PVCs allocated during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the state’s eight local government areas.
Providing a breakdown of the figures, the REC listed Brass as receiving 6,211 PVCs, Ekeremor 12,023, Nembe 3,620 and Kolokuma/Opokuma 3,712.
Other allocations included 3,132 PVCs for Ogbia, 10,080 for Sagbama, 6,332 for Yenagoa and 7,115 for Southern Ijaw.
According to Shaka, the CVR exercise began on August 18, 2025, and was initially scheduled to end on July 12, 2026. However, the commission extended the exercise by two weeks, bringing it to a close on July 26.
The REC called on political parties and their candidates to conduct their activities in accordance with the law and the guidelines issued by the commission.
He urged political actors to respect the rights of their opponents and avoid actions capable of threatening public peace or undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
Shaka also said INEC had made progress in its preparations for the elections, including monitoring political parties’ activities and primaries, as well as publishing candidates’ credentials and the final list of nominated candidates.
He encouraged qualified members of the public interested in working with the commission to apply through its official recruitment portal before the application deadline.
The REC described recruitment as an important part of the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Also speaking at the forum, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, said the gathering was a strategic engagement aimed at promoting credible and peaceful elections.
He said the police would work to provide a safe environment before, during and after the polls while respecting INEC’s independence and the rights of citizens.
Adewale stressed that voters must be able to make their choices without intimidation, while electoral officials should perform their duties without interference.
He identified political violence, election-related crimes, threats against electoral officials and the spread of inflammatory misinformation as potential risks requiring attention.
The police commissioner added that security agencies could not guarantee peaceful elections without the cooperation of political parties, candidates and other stakeholders.
He called on community leaders, youth groups and civil society organisations to help resolve tensions early and report credible threats to the relevant authorities.
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Adewale reaffirmed the police command’s commitment to working with other security agencies to protect citizens’ right to participate peacefully in the electoral process.
