The deadline for collecting Permanent Voters Cards across the country has been extended by the Independent National Electoral Commission by eight days.
National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, announced in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, the decision to give registered voters ample time to obtain their PVCs before the upcoming elections
He said; “For this reason, the timeframe for collection of PVCs is extended by eight days. Instead of ending on Sunday Jan. 22, the collection of PVCs will continue until Sunday Jan. 29.
“At the moment, the period of collection is 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily (including Saturdays and Sundays)”.
Okoye said following the extension, “Collection at Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one week from Jan. 16 to 22. Collection at Local Government level will resume on Jan. 23 to Jan. 29.
He also said that INEC was looking into claims of extortion by workers at some collection centers and coercion of some dishonest voters to bypass procedures in order to get their PVCs.
He declared that individuals found guilty would face disciplinary and/or legal action.
“Similarly, the commission is 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”.
Okoye stated that the INEC was impressed by the increase in the number of PVCs collected nationwide, particularly in some of the states, where as many as 100,000 PVCs were gathered in the last five days since the devolution to Ward level began on January 6.
As INEC continues to improve its procedure to facilitate the collection, he also commended the public’ patience and tenacity.
He added; “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.
“Nevertheless, issuing officers should compile any complaints about non-availability of cards and forward them to their immediate supervisors for the attention of Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) who shall compile and forward them for necessary action.”
