The Ekiti State Government has declared Friday, June 5, a half-day public holiday to enable civil and public servants in the state to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji directed that workers should close at 12 noon to participate in the PVC collection exercise being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while officers on essential duties are expected to remain at their duty posts.

This is contained in a circular issued by the Office of the State Head of Service and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishments and Service Matters, Mrs Janet Funke Ajibola, in Ado-Ekiti.

According to the circular, the governor stressed the importance of the PVC as an instrument of democratic participation and urged all eligible citizens to take advantage of the exercise to fulfil their civic and constitutional responsibilities.

The government noted that the PVC distribution exercise commenced on June 2 and will end on June 11 at various registration areas and wards across the state before moving to INEC local government offices.

It said the decision to grant the half-day holiday was aimed at encouraging wider participation in the collection process and ensuring that eligible voters were not disenfranchised during the election.

The circular also directed all accounting officers in ministries, departments and agencies to sensitise members of staff and ensure prompt dissemination of the information.

The state government reiterated its commitment to promoting citizens’ participation in the electoral process and urged residents yet to collect their PVCs to do so within the stipulated period.