The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced an extension of the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards in Anambra State.
The decision came in response to public and stakeholder requests for more time for eligible voters to receive their cards.
Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity, issued a statement on Monday night announcing that the exercise, which was originally slated to end on Sunday, October 26, will now run from Wednesday, October 29, to Sunday, November 2, 2025.
The extension applies to anyone who registered during the most recent Continuous Voter Registration drive in the state.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved the extension of the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards in Anambra State.
“The decision was reached at a meeting of the Commission held on Monday, 27 October 2025, following several appeals from citizens and stakeholders requesting additional time to enable eligible voters to collect their cards.
“The exercise, earlier scheduled to end on Sunday, 26 October 2025, has now been extended from Wednesday, 29 October, to Sunday, 2 November 2025. It covers persons who registered during the recent Continuous Voter Registration exercise in the state,” the statement read in part.
INEC asked registered voters who had yet to obtain their PVCs to take advantage of the extension.
“Registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs are encouraged to do so at the designated collection centers across the 326 Registration Areas (Wards) in Anambra State,” the Commission said.
Eta-Messi also reminded voters that PVC collecting must be done in person, adding, “No collection by proxy is permitted.”
The commission praised people for their participation and urged all eligible voters to prepare for the next governorship election.
“INEC appreciates the patience, enthusiasm, and cooperation of the good people of Anambra State and urges all eligible voters to use this opportunity to collect their PVCs and get ready to participate in the forthcoming governorship election,” Eta-Messi added.
Meanwhile, INEC deemed Anambra “fully prepared” for the election planned for November 8, 2025.
This came after a week-long preparedness assessment by a high-level delegation from its headquarters, led by Prof. Rhoda Gumus, the National Commissioner for Election Planning and Monitoring.
The crew inspected facilities, logistics, and security measures throughout the state.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
