Festus Okoye; Image: Channelstv.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended by 8 days the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
Collection of PVCs will now end on Sunday 29th January 2023 instead of Sunday 22nd January 2023.
The period of collection is 9.00 am –3.00 pm daily (including Saturdays and Sundays).
INEC said the move was to ensure that registered voters have sufficient opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the upcoming election.
INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye said the decision follows the Commission's regular meeting during which various issues including the ongoing collection of PVCs across the country were discussed.
In a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, Okoye, said, “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 – 3.00 pm daily (including Saturdays and Sundays).”
He further said that: “As a result of this extension, there is a consequential adjustment of the collection by location as follows:
Collection at the Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one a week from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd January 2023.
Collection at the Local Government level will resume on Monday 23rd."
The National Commissioner noted that INEC is starting a probe into allegations of extortion and discrimination by some of its officials at PVC collection centers as well as inducement of its officials by some unscrupulous voters to bypass processes to get their PVCs.
“Those found culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution,” Okoye said.
“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,” he stated.
Why INEC extended the deadline for PVCs collection?
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye said the Commission is impressed at the increased interest shown in the past few days by registered voters across the country to collect their Permanent Voter Cards PVCs.
“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.
Okoye also disclosed that INEC has printed over 13.86 million new PVCs, but advised field officials to immediately notify their respective RECs if they receive any complaints that cards are not available.
“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 the 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”, he added.
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