Victor EzejaThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the collection of permanent voter cards (PVC).
This was revealed in a statement on Thursday signed by Festus Okoye, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education.
The Commission had fixed December 12 to January 22 for the collection of PVCs in all the 774 local government areas.
The electoral body also said it would devolve PVC collection to the 8,809 registration areas/wards from January 6 to January 15, 2023, after which the exercise will revert to the LGA offices until January 22 when the process will end.
Okoye, however, said that given the large turnout of registered voters for the collection of PVCs across the country, the Commission is determined to ensure that all of them are given the opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the forthcoming election.
According to Okoye, as a result of the deadline change, the collection of PVCs from registration areas will now continue till January 22, after which collection at LGAs will continue on January 23.
Part of the statement reads: “The Commission is encouraged by the turnout of registered voters and the surge in the number of collected PVCs across the country. In some of the States, as many as 100,000 PVCs were collected in the last five days since the devolution to Ward level started on Saturday 6th January 2023.
“The Commission is determined to ensure that registered voters have ample
opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the forthcoming election.
“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 9.00 am to 3.00 pm 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 the Local Government level will resume on Monday 23rd – Sunday
29th January 2023.”
The statement further said the commission “is investigating allegations of extortion by officials at some of the collection centres and inducement by some unscrupulous voters to circumvent processes in order to obtain their PVCs.”
It warned that those found “culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution.”
“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.”
INEC also decried allegations raised about “discriminatory issuance of PVCs in some locations,” saying that it is against the law as all duly registered voters are entitled to their PVCs and use them to vote on Election Day in any part of the country where they are registered.
The statement added that all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have been directed to take appropriate measures and ensure that no such practices occur nationwide and also 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. 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.
“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,” the statement added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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