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PVCs collection to continue till Jan. 29 – INEC
PVCs collection to continue till Jan. 29 – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the timeframe for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) nationwide by eight days, shifting the deadline to January 29.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, said the decision was taken at the commission’s meeting on Thursday, to give registered voters ample opportunity to collect their PVCs before the forthcoming elections.
In his words, “For this reason, the timeframe for the 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 the Local Government level will resume on Jan. 23 to Jan. 29.
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He also disclosed that INEC was investigating allegations of extortion by officials at some of the collection centres and inducement by some unscrupulous voters to circumvent processes to obtain their PVCs.
He said that those found culpable would face disciplinary action and/or prosecution.
Okoye said that Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) had been directed to ensure that no such practices occurred nationwide and take immediate disciplinary action against violators.
He said INEC was encouraged by the turnout of registered voters and the surge in the number of collected PVCs across the country, particularly 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 Jan. 6.
He also appreciated the patience and perseverance of citizens as INEC continued to finetune its process to make it easier to collect PVCs.
