INEC has extended the collection of permanent voter’s card, PVCs by eight days.
Instead of ending on Sunday 22nd January 2023, the collection of PVCs will continue until Sunday 29th January 2023.
Following this extension, Collection at Ward level is extended by one week from Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd January 2023 while Collection at Local Government level will resume on Monday 23rd -to Sunday 29th January 2023.
A statement by INEC national commissioner for information, Festus Okoye notes that the Commission is however 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.
Those found culpable will face disciplinary 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. 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.
