The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has said that it has extended the timeframe for the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards, PVC nationwide by eight days.
The Commission in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye informed that instead of ending on Sunday 22nd January, 2023, the exercise would continue until Sunday 29th January, 2023 between the hours of 9.00am and 3.00pm including Saturdays and Sundays.
The statement disclosed that following the extension, collection of PVCs at Registration Area (Ward) level was extended by one week from Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd January 2023 while collection at Local Government level would resume on Monday 23rd to Sunday 29th January 2023.
It noted that the Commission was encouraged by the turnout of registered voters and the surge in the number of collected PVCs across the country adding that 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 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)”, the statement said.
The statement, however, stated that the Commission was 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.
Warning that those found culpable would be made to face disciplinary action and/or prosecution, it said, “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 fay 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. 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.”
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