- Collection at Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one a week from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd January 2023.
- Collection at Local Government level will resume on Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th January 2023.
- Says it is investigating allegations of extortion by officials at some of the collection centres.
- Commission says it has printed 13,868,441 PVCs for all new valid registrants
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has said it has extended the timeframe for Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by eight days nationwide.
The electoral umpire made this disclosure in a statement by the National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye after its regular meeting held today, Thursday 12th January 2023.
According to Okoye, the Commission deliberated on a number of issues, including the ongoing collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) nationwide.
He noted that the Commission is 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,” the statement read in part.
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:
- Collection at Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one a week from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd January 2023.
- Collection at Local Government level will resume on Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th January 2023.
Extortion by INEC officials
Meanwhile, the Commission added that it is 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. It promised that those found culpable will be face disciplinary action and/or prosecution.
Discriminatory issuance of PVCs
Similarly, Okoye added that 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. Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have been directed to ensure that no such practices occur nationwide and take immediate disciplinary action against violators.
13,868,441 PVCs printed for all new valid registrants
Okoye further disclosed that 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 finally thanked Nigerians for their patience and perseverance as
it continue to fine tune the process to make the collection of PVCs easier.
