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BREAKING: INEC Extends Deadline For PVC Collection
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to February 5, 2023.
INEC had pegged January 31 as the deadline for the collection of PVCs but a National Commissioner with the electoral umpire Festus Okoye said it has been extended by one week, the second time it is doing so.
He said the move followed a meeting of INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
“Arising from reports from the various States and discussions with Resident Electoral Commissioners, the Commission has decided to further extend PVC collection in all its Local Government Offices nationwide by an additional one week. The ongoing collection of PVCs nationwide will therefore continue and end on 5th February 2023,” Okoye said in a statement on Saturday.
“This is the second time the Commission is extending PVC collection nationwide and this will be the last extension of the exercise. The collection period has further been extended by an additional two hours and will start at 9 am and end at 5 pm daily including Saturdays and Sundays.”
He encouraged Nigerians who are yet to pick their PVCs, saying it is encouraged by the progress made so far in that regard.
“The Commission once again salutes the patience and doggedness of citizens,” Okoye’s statement added.
INEC, therefore, called on Nigerians to report sharp practices in PVC collection centres, assuring that the Commission will act on them.
“The Commission will continue to act on all reported cases of sharp practices during the ongoing PVC collection and will ensure that no Nigerian is disadvantaged and all those that carried out valid registration have an opportunity of collecting their PVCs,” it said.
January 28, 2023
Imo State Govt Declares Work-Free Days For PVC Collection
The Imo State Government has declared Thursday (January 26) and Friday (January 27) work-free days to enable workers to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the coming elections.
Briefing newsmen after the weekly Executive Council Meeting in Owerri, the state capital, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba said the work-free days affect mainly Imo workers in the Civil and Public Service.
He said those involved in essential services like the banks, power and others so designated are not affected by the holidays.
He enjoined indigenes of the state to collect their PVCs and exercise their civic responsibility during the elections.
January 26, 2023
2023: Lagos Declares Work-Free Days for PVC Collection
The Lagos State Government has declared Tuesday, January 24 to Friday, January 27 as work-free days for public servants in the state so they can go collect their Permanent Voter Cards at their respective local government/local council development areas in the state.
This was made known by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. In a circular released, Muri-Okunola said the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, graciously approved the work-free day for the public servants.
“Consequent upon the extension of the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards by the Independent National Electoral Commission, it is hereby notified for the general information that all public servants who are yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards from designated INEC Centers are encouraged to do so before Sunday, January 29, 2023, as it is a civic responsibility to vote.
To this end, Mr Governor has graciously approved a work-free day to enable public servants to collect their PVCs from their respective local government/local council development areas as presented in the table below.”
The dates include Tuesday, January 24, 2023, for grade levels 01, 03, 07 and 15; Wednesday, January 25, 2023, for grade levels 02, 04, 08 and 13; Thursday, January 26, 2023, for grade levels 05, 09, 12, and 17; and Friday, January 27, 2023, for grade levels 06, 10, 14 and 16.
January 19, 2023
INEC denies colluding with APC to manipulate PVC collection in Lagos
Lagos office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked claim of colluding with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the collection of permanent voter cards (PVCs) in the state.
The claim was made by the Peoples Democratic Congress (PDP) on Monday, January 16, during a press conference.
Reacting to the claim, Olusegun Agbaje, INEC’s resident electoral commissioner in Lagos said it’s all “fabricated”.
The statement read;
“It is pertinent to clarify and correct the frivolous accusation by PDP that some INEC staff are colluding with members of the ruling party in the state to deny some groups of people access to collect their PVCs.
“Mention was equally made of Mr Muyiwa Yusuf, the head of department VR/ICT INEC in the state who was alleged to have connived with the APC to clone the faces of voters through the privileged access he has to the PVCs.
“It has become necessary to comment on the recent report which far from being true, was a gross misrepresentation and diversionary both in content and context.
“It is obvious that this orchestrated story by PDP was fabricated to distort the reputation of INEC in the state and to soil the name of the officer in question.
“INEC has neither political affiliation nor inclination with any party in the state. Collection of PVC is based on a first-come, first-served.”
Agbaje who maintained that eligible Nigerians have not been denied their rights to collect the PVCs in all the 20 LGAs of the state, added that INEC’s bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) would not authenticate any cloned PVCs on election day.
He said;
“The exercise being embarked upon in the commission at the moment is the scanning of PVCs to harvest phone numbers of eligible registrants yet to collect their cards with a view to contacting them via bulk sms,” the statement reads.
“The commission strongly believes in equity, transparency, integrity, and fairness in the conduct of her business.
“We shall continue to uphold these fundamental principles in the discharge of our constitutional duties and responsibilities as an unbiased umpire to all stakeholders.”
January 19, 2023
INEC Extends Deadline For PVC Collection
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to Sunday 29th, January 2023.
The electoral umpire earlier fixed Sunday, 22nd January 2023 as the collection deadline.
But following a meeting on Thursday, INEC said it has pushed the deadline by eight days.
“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,” INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye said in a statement.
“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 explained that the development signals “a consequential adjustment of the collection by location as follows:
1. Collection at the Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one a week from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd January 2023.
2. Collection at the Local Government level will resume on Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th January 2023.
According to him, with reports of INEC officials extorting Nigerians at PVC collection centres, the Commission is launching an investigation into the allegations.
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“Those found culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution,” Okoye added.
“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.”
January 13, 2023
2023 Elections: Hoodlums Disrupt PVC Distribution In Edo Community
Hoodlums over the weekend disrupted the distribution of the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) in some parts of Ikpoba Okha LGA of Edo State.
It was learnt that the incident happened on Friday and Saturday in Ward 01 at Iwogban/Uteh; Ward 05 at St Saviour’s School; Ward 07 at Ugbekun; Ward 06 at Maria Goretti College; RA 09 at Obanyator; Army Children’s School and Ogheghe Health Centre.
The hoodlums were said to have stormed the collection centres in the morning when officials of INEC moved the distribution of the PVCs to ward level.
The Head of Voter Education, Edo INEC office, Timidi Wariowe, in a statement, said, “INEC, Edo State, has received reports of unruly incidents between yesterday Friday and Saturday which degenerated to the disruption of the collection of PVCs and threat to officials and materials in the five wards.
He said INEC had informed the police command about the situation.
He called on the citizens, especially community leaders, on the need to ensure the safety of INEC officials and materials deployed to their various communities to ensure that voters collected their PVCs and were able to vote in the elections.
January 8, 2023
2023: Politicians Buying PVCs to Rig Elections – INEC
Ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lamented that politicians now purchase Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to rig and mar the credibility of the exercise.
This disclosure is coming as voters across the 774 local government areas across the country troop out to collect their PVCs. This process commenced on 12th December and is expected to end on 27th January 2023.
The Acting Chairman of INEC and National Commissioner overseeing the FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states, Mohammed Haruna, raised this alarm on Monday during the launch of #YourVoteMatters project by an election observer group, NESSACTION, in Abuja.
Haruna revealed that recently, the Commission convicted two persons in Sokoto and Kano states for illegally possessing PVCs.
He emphasized that politicians now buy PVCs, warning voters not to sell their cards for any reason because it is a punishable electoral offence.
He said, “Some of you are aware that only recently, INEC managed to convict two people who were found guilty of illegally possessing PVCs in Kano and Sokoto. So, I urge people to collect their PVCs, keep them safely, and make sure you go out there and cast your votes on the election day because you cannot vote without your PVCs.”
December 13, 2022
REC Longpet Laments Over Uncollected 160,966 PVC’s In Kogi
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC) INEC in Kogi State, Dr Hale Gabriel Longpet has lamented over 160,966 uncollected Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC’S) in Kogi State ahead of the 2023 general election.
Dr Hale Gabriel Longpet who disclosed this during an interview with newsmen said voters in Kogi State are expected to be 1.9million which include those who registered between 2019 to June 2022.
He said as at 2nd of December 2022, out of 154,984 voters cards which were produced for voters who registered in 2019, only 13,689 were collected while 141, 295 have not collected their 2019 voters card.
For the fresh registration between 2021 and June 2022, Longpet said the commission expected 38,505 people to come and collect their permanent voters card, but unfortunately, 18,924 voters have collected their PVC’s while 19,671 is yet uncollected.
The REC said “I have always used every opportunity to express my displeasure over the poor collection of PVC’s in Kogi State. We have 32,508 people who transferred their PVC’s from one polling unit to another. But so far, we have seen only 5,977 who have come to collect those transferred PVC’s. And You will agree with me that it is not an encouraging figure.”
“However, we are under strict order at all State offices of INEC. From today 6th December, we have started sensitizing people, engaging Civil Society Organization, Media to start helping people to come and collect their PVC’s” he added.
The Kogi INEC REC, however, used the medium to debunk the information making the rounds that a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria has ordered INEC to resume registration of voters ahead of the election.
“We discussed this in Lagos during the INEC stakeholders meeting in Lagos. There is no Court that asked INEC to resume the registration of voters. It is all false and should be disregarded by the public” he added.
While assuring Nigerians that the Commission is ready for a transparent, free and fair election, Longpet noted that the introduction of BVAS by INEC has gone a long way to reduce electoral malpractice.
December 7, 2022
INEC Releases Date For PVC Collection
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed dates for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards in all the 774 local government offices of the Commission nationwide.
The Commission fixed Monday 12 December 2022 to Sunday 22 January 2023 as the dates for the collection of PVCs.
Disclosing this in a statement on Friday this following, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the Commission came up with the dates after deliberation on a number of issues on Thursday.
“The Commission met on Thursday, 1st December 2022, and deliberated on a number of issues, including the dates for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) nationwide,” INEC said.
“It will be recalled that the Commission held a retreat in Lagos with all the Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory from 28th November to 2nd December 2022. At the retreat, the Commission finalised the procedure as well as the timetable for the collection of PVCs.
“Consequently, the Commission has fixed Monday 12 December 2022 to Sunday 22 January 2023 as the dates for the collection of PVCs in all the 774 Local Government Offices of the Commission throughout the Federation.
“The Commission also resolved to devolve PVC collection to the 8,809 Registration Areas/Wards from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January 2023. Those that are unable to collect their PVCs at the Local Government Offices of the Commission can do so at the Registration Areas/Electoral Wards. After the 15th of January 2023, the exercise will revert to the Local Government Offices of the Commission until the 22nd of January 2023.
“All eligible and valid registrants can collect their PVCs from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.
“All the RECs and Electoral Officers (EOs) have been directed to convene a meeting with the critical stakeholders in their States and Local Government Areas, including traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, community-based organisations and the media to brief them on the modalities for the collection of the PVCs in order to sensitise the public and ensure seamless exercise.
“Similarly, RECs and EOs have also been directed to set up help desks to assist registrants with complaints about their PVCs or with the PVC collection procedure for immediate redress.
“The Commission appreciates the patience and understanding of Nigerians, especially those who registered as voters or applied for transfer/replacement of their cards from January to July 2022. In making the cards available for collection, the Commission is also working to ensure that the process is simple and hitch-free.”
December 2, 2022
Two Arrested, Prosecuted For Possessing 468 PVCs
Police authorities have arrested two offenders in possession of 468 Permanent Voters’ Cards, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have said.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Although Okoye identified the first offender as Nasiru Idris, saying he was found with 101 PVCs in Sokoto States, the identity of the other culprit however was not revealed.
The INEC National Commissioner noted that the man was caught with 367 PVCs and is currently being charged in court.
According to him, the offence is in contravention of Sections 117 and 145 of the Electoral Act 2022.
“In the last couple of weeks, the Nigeria Police has arrested some individuals found to be in illegal possession of voters’ cards in some States of the Federation,” the statement read.
“In one case, the Police have concluded the investigation and handed over the case file to the Commission resulting in the successful prosecution of one Nasiru Idris at a Magistrate Court in Sokoto who was found to be in possession of 101 PVCs in contravention of Sections 117 and 145 of the Electoral Act 2022. He has been sentenced to a year in prison.
“Similarly, the Police in Kano State have arrested a man who was found to be in possession of 367 PVCs. The suspect has been charged to Court and the Commission is pursuing his prosecution.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate that it will continue to pursue all violators of the Electoral Act and ensure their diligent prosecution.”
On the PVC collection, Okoye stated that INEC is determined to make the process as seamless as possible.
He added, “A Standard Operating Procedure has been developed. This will be among the issues to be discussed and finalised at a retreat holding in Lagos from November 28 to December 2, 2022, involving all the Resident Electoral Commissioners.
“At the end of the retreat, the Commission will release the dates as well as the detailed procedure for the immediate collection of PVCs nationwide.
“The Commission appreciates the patience and understanding of Nigerians, especially those who registered as voters or applied for transfer/replacement of their cards from January to July 2022. In making the cards available for collection, the Commission is also working to ensure that the process is hitch-free.”
November 27, 2022