…as LGA chairmen, party leaders mobilise voters on PVC collection
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) nationwide to January 22 and 29 respectively.
Consequently, the deadline for the collection of PVCs at the ward level is now Sunday, January 22, 2023, while the same exercise scheduled for the local government headquarters will close Sunday, January 29, 2023.
This is coming on the heel of the aggressive campaigns already embarked upon by some local Government Authorities across the country.
Festus Okoye, INEC’s, National Commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, who disclosed this in a statement, said the Commission was determined to ensure that registered voters have ample opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Okoye stated that the Commission was encouraged by the turnout of registered voters and the surge in the number of collected PVCs across the country.
He noted that in some of the States, as many as 100,000 PVCs were collected in the last five days since the devolution of PVC collection to Ward level started on Saturday, January 6, 2023.
He said: “For this reason, the timeframe for the collection of PVCs is extended by eight days. Instead of ending on Sunday 22nd January 2023, the collection of PVCs will continue until Sunday 29th January 2023.
“At the moment, the period of collection is 9.00am – 3.00pm daily (including Saturdays and Sundays).
“As a result of this extension, there is a consequential adjustment of the collection by location as follows:
“1. Collection at Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one a week from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd January 2023.
“2. Collection at Local Government level will resume on Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th January 2023.”
Meanwhile, Okoye revealed that the Commission was investigating allegations of extortion by its officials at some of the collection centres and inducement by some unscrupulous voters to circumvent processes in order to obtain their PVCs.
He said those found culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution.
Similarly, he said the Commission was also disturbed by allegations of discriminatory issuance of PVCs in some locations.
“This is against the law. All bonafide registrants are entitled to their PVCs and to use them to vote on Election Day in any part of the country where they are registered.
“Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have been directed to ensure that no such practices occur nationwide and take immediate disciplinary action against violators.
“For the record, the Commission has printed 13,868,441 PVCs for all new valid registrants as well as applicants for transfer or replacement of cards,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said issuing officers should compile any complaint about non-availability of cards and forward them to their immediate supervisors for the attention of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) who shall compile and forward them for necessary action.
“The Commission once again appreciates the patience and perseverance of citizens as we continue to finetune our process to make the collection of PVCs easier,” Okoye added.
Meanwhile, more local government chairmen and political party executives in Lagos are mobilising residents to pick up their cards.
INEC fixed Dec. 12, 2022, to Jan. 22, 2023, for PVC collection in all its 774 local government offices nationwide daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.
The exercise moved to the 8,809 registration areas and wards from Friday, Jan. 6, where it can be collected until Jan. 22.
After Jan. 22, the exercise will revert to the local government offices of the commission until Jan. 29.
Council chairmen and party chieftains in Ikorodu area of Lagos State told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that sensitisation of residents on collection was being given the urgency it deserved.
The Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Wasiu Adesina, said that the council took a proactive step by appointing committees saddled with the responsibility of mobilising electorate from different areas to collect their PVCs at their wards.
Adesina said he directed the committees to also go from house-to-house informing people on the need to collect their cards at the nearest centres, to exercise their franchise.
“On our part, we have appointed committees that will strategise and sensitise people on the importance of getting their PVCs.
“They will also ensure smooth and seamless movement of our people by providing vehicles that will convey them to different wards to collect their PVCs,” Adesina said.
The Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman, Ms Motuntayo Gbadebo-Alogba, said the council was also playing its part.
“The council considers elections as a civic responsibility of citizens and helping them to get their PVCs would be a step in helping them to carry out their civic responsibilities.
“More specifically, the council under my leadership has been carrying out series of enlightenment campaigns and stakeholder engagements.
“This is not starting with the PVC collection, we also did lots of sensitisation for people to register and it is natural to follow up now to ensure all those who registered last year go to collect their PVCs.
“Only yesterday, I met with the leadership of various ethnic nationalities resident in Ijede LCDA and prompted them towards sensitising their people to pick up their PVCs.
“The PVC is not useful if left with Independent Electoral Commission(INEC); citizens must endeavour to go pick it and be ready to vote,” she said.
The chairman of Igbogbi Baiyeku LCDA, Mr Sesan Daini, said, “We are working with Community Development Committee, Commity Development Associations, Clubs, Societies, religious bodies, traditional institutions and non indigenes groups”.
He said that they were working with them to sensitise people on the importance of PVC collection so they could perform their civic rights.
Also, the APC LGA Chairman, Waheed Animashaun, reiterated that the ward executives were mandated to sensitise residents who newly moved into particular areas or who did not know their wards.
The LGA Chairman of PDP, Mr Olanrewaju Oshin, said the party had also sensitised residents of Ikorodu on collection of their PVCs in preparation for the forthcoming general elections.
“I think they have done well by bringing the collection centres nearer to people to ensure more people participate in the forthcoming general elections,” he said.
One of INEC senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said they conducted sensitisation programme on PVC collection and came closer to people for easy access.
According to her, the challenges being experienced are faded temporary slips and overcrowding in collection centres.
NAN reports that INEC had on Jan. 6 moved distribution of PVCs to the 11 wards in Ikorodu to enable residents to get them at their doorsteps.
Olusola Bello with agency report