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INEC Needs To Do More To Ensure Collection Of PVCs – Pearse

A member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Tokunbo Pearse, on Tuesday advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do more in sensitizing … Continue reading INEC Needs To Do More To Ensure Collection Of PVCs – Pearse


Dr_PearseA member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Tokunbo Pearse, on Tuesday advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do more in sensitizing Nigerians to go to their polling units and collect their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVC) after the electoral body announced a one week extension for the collection of the cards.

Dr Pearce, who commended the Commission for extending the date, however noted that “there are still a lot of challenges facing INEC regarding the distribution of PVCs.

“INEC should have a literature out with the names of people on it, so that they can know there PVCs are ready,” adding that there are a lot of places in Lagos where complaints have soared as a result of the inability to obtain the cards.

He also urged political parties to collaborate with INEC to ensure that the word goes out to those who duly registered and have not collected their votes, even if it takes the use of “town criers”.

He further noted that using the town criers would be better as using party agents would compromise the effort. He explained that some party agents would only tell those with sympathies for their political parties that the cards are ready.

Dr Pearse also expressed his confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct the general elections but warned officials of the commission to be aware of leaders who speak carelessly.

He warned, “If INEC is not independent then we are in trouble.”

He also noted that the challenges being faced by INEC is a reflection of the society.

He expressed the view that “INEC has improved a great deal” but was quick to add that “as far as efficiency (is concerned) they still have a long way to go.”

INEC had announced its decision to extend the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Sunday, 8th February, ahead of the general elections on Sunday  February, 1 through a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu  .

Mr Idowu said the decision to extend the deadline for PVC collection “is intended to give registered voters yet to collect their PVCs the opportunity to do so in readiness for the February 2015 general elections.”

The deadline had been scheduled for Saturday, 31st January, however, several challenges including complaints by Nigerians and logistics on the part of the umpire necessitated a shift in the collection deadline.

INEC has now called on “duly registered persons not to delay in going to collect their cards before the expiration of the new deadline”.

“The Commission reaffirms its determination to make the 2015 elections free, fair, credible and peaceful; and urges all stakeholders, including voters, to spare no effort in working towards the same objective,” Idowu noted.