2015: INEC charged on effective distribution of PVC
As 2015 elections draw near, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started the distribution of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in various states and the registration of eligible...
As 2015 elections draw near, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started the distribution of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in various states and the registration of eligible voters who were not 18years of age when the Temporary Voters Card (TVC) was issued in 2011. It should be recalled that INEC conducted a test-run of the permanent voters’ cards during the recent Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections. The step is now being replicated in other states where INEC has been distributing the cards.
However, as the final phase of the of the PVC distribution is set to commence in Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Edo and Rivers states, concerned stakeholders have urged INEC to embrace a more effective distribution system of the PVC so the citizens are not disenfranchised.
One of such person who is urging INEC to improve on its performance is Mr. Adeola Soetan, the National Coordinator of Democracy Vanguard, whose organization monitored the distribution of the PVC in Oyo state. According to him, INEC was short of staff to carry out the distribution exercise in urban centres. He noted that citizens encountered some challenges during the exercise; the first being that the three days earmarked for the distribution of the PVC was short and insufficient as some citizens were unable to collect the PVC.
“Many voters who came for the collection of their PVC did not find their names and photographs on INEC list having presented their temporary voter cards. There were lot of mix ups as PVCs from others states, local governments, wards and units were brought to different local governments”, he said.
He also noted that there was not enough public awareness on the collection exercise as well as the required information on how citizens who have changed their place of residence could have PVCs.
“In all the centers visited by our observers, we discovered that many of the voters who have changed their place of abode and who are willing to transfer to their new posts do not really understand the process involved in transferring from one INEC designated polling unit to the other” he said.
Going by the evident lapses, it has become very important for INEC to scale up its public education so the general public understands the process involved in transferring to a unit where they wish to cast their votes, especially for citizens who may want to vote in their new location of residence.
“As a means of mobilizing voters through creation of needed awareness for the exercise, INEC should improve on its publicity and enlightenment in print, electronic and social media for maximum participation and huge turnout of voters” he said.
Meanwhile, INEC has said through a statement by Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to its Chairman that it will not succumb to agitation from certain quarters to extend the days for PVC collection as this is impossible due to logistics.
“Much as the Commission is eager to ensure that all legitimate persons who are yet to register as voters have the opportunity to do so, it is logistically impossible to extend this phase of the CVR beyond its scheduled deadline”
He however said the commission shall soon address the issue of those who are yet to register can go and this.
“In order to give fair chance to legitimate registrants, the Commission will, on a date to be shortly announced, set up registration points at its Local Government Area (LGA) offices where people yet to do so can go to register”, Idowu said.
