The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), police, political parties and civil society organisations have called for peaceful campaigns and credible elections in Bayelsa State ahead of the 2027 general elections, as 52,225 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) await collection across the state.
The call was made at a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa on Tuesday, where participants raised concerns about electoral violence, misinformation, voter participation and logistical challenges affecting riverine communities.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa, Mal. Isah Shaka Ehimeakhe, urged political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to mobilise eligible registrants to collect their PVCs.
According to figures released by the Commission, Ekeremor has the highest number of PVCs awaiting collection, with 12,023, followed by Sagbama with 10,080 and Southern Ijaw with 7,115.
Yenagoa has 6,332, Brass 6,211, Kolokuma/Opokuma 3,712, Nembe 3,620 and Ogbia 3,132.
A representative of the Peoples Democratic Party appealed to INEC to consider alternative arrangements for residents of remote riverine communities who face high transportation costs travelling to collect their cards.
The representative 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 Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, psc, mnips, FCAI, urged political actors to place national interest above personal ambitions and avoid statements or actions capable of triggering violence.
Ehimeakhe commended political parties for their peaceful campaigns so far, urging them to sustain the atmosphere by focusing on policies and programmes rather than hate speech, personal attacks and misinformation.
He said campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections commenced on August 19, 2026, and would end at midnight on January 14, 2027.
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 further emphasised the need to protect the participation rights of women, young people and persons with disabilities through voter education and accessible electoral arrangements.
A representative of the National Council of Women Societies urged women to promote peace in their communities, stressing that no political ambition was worth the loss of human lives.
Representatives of the Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN) and Do Foundation also pledged support for voter education and sensitisation against electoral violence.
INEC announced that its recruitment portal for prospective ad hoc staff opened on September 18, 2026, and would close at midnight on November 18, 2026, urging qualified applicants to apply through the official portal.
As preparations continue, stakeholders called for collective responsibility to ensure that eligible voters can participate freely and safely, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
They stressed that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend on peaceful political conduct, effective logistics, voter participation and the protection of citizens’ rights.
