INEC begins distribution of Permanent Voter Cards in 10 states Friday
Suleiman Bello
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it would undertake the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, in 10 states of the federation between May 23 and 25.
The states where the exercise will hold are according to a release by Kayode Idowu, a media aide to the INEC Chairman are: Taraba, Gombe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa.
The statement asked every registered voter in the states under Phase One to visit the polling unit where they previously registered in order to ascertain their registration status.
It also stated that persons whose data had been appropriately captured would be handed their PVCs at the polling units in accordance with set procedures.
It however said those with defective data, for whom PVCs had not been produced, would have the opportunity to re-register during the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, holding May 28 to June 1.
“There will be a display of the valid Register of Voters at the polling units where the PVCs will be distributed.
“It is, thus, important for every voter to visit his/her polling unit from Friday, 23rd May to Sunday, 25th May, 2014, to ascertain his/her registration status; contrary to suggestions that persons in so-called ‘zero polling units’ need not show up.”
The Commission explained that the proposed CVR would be conducted for the persons who turned 18 years after the last registration; persons who were 18 years at the time but did not present themselves for registration; and persons whose data were not adequately captured previously and for whom PVCs have not been produced.
“For avoidance of doubt, the exercise is not for everyone, including people wishing to transfer their registration data from where they previously registered,” the Commission said.
“INEC particularly urges persons in category (iii) above to be calm and re-present themselves for registration during the CVR, to have their status regularised.”
