The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) until Sunday 29th January 2023, as complaints continue to trail the exercise.
INEC moved the deadline by eight days after a meeting on Thursday, extending the period of the exercise for millions of voters yet to collect their PVCs. The electoral umpire had earlier fixed Sunday, January 22 as the deadline, but saw reasons to move the date up as the collection goes slower than expected.
In a statement signed by the INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, the Commission said the decision has become necessary following developments that have hampered the collection.
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“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 said.
Speaking further on the new deadline, Okoye explained that the development signals 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 – Sunday 29th January 2023.
There have been reports of inconsistencies at the collection centers, including allegations that INEC officials are demanding bribes from the electorates, while some officials are said to be doing the bidding of dubious politicians who don’t want people from certain zones of the country to have their PVCs.
Okoye said that the reports of INEC officials extorting Nigerians at PVC collection centers are being investigated by the Commission.
“Those found culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution.
“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 said.