2023: INEC Reacts To PVCs Allegedly Buried In House Of Top Politician

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has commenced an investigation into the viral video of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) allegedly buried in some locations in Imo State and the compound of a high-profile personality.

The electoral body in a statement issued on Thursday, by its National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye disclosed the allegation would not be taken lightly.

The commission noted that the diabolical scheme is clearly intended to disenfranchise Nigerians and those involved in the act will be sanctioned under the law.

The statement added that INEC has printed PVCs for all valid registrants in Nigeria and had been delivered to all the states of the Federation for collection by voters.

Okoye, therefore, appealed to those who found the buried PVCs to deliver them to the INEC state or local government office.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to videos trending online of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) allegedly buried underground in some locations, including the compound of a high-profile person. 

“The Commission is not taking these allegations lightly. We have commenced immediate investigation ‘and anyone found culpable in this diabolical scheme clearly intended to disenfranchise Nigerians will be sanctioned under the law. Every eligible Nigerian who registered as a voter is entitled to his/her PVC. The constitutional right to vote in any election must never be suppressed or abridged in any way.

“As far as the record of the Commission is concerned. PVCs have been printed for all valid registrants in Nigeria up to 14th January 2022 and delivered to all the States of the Federation for collection by voters. We will not allow retrogressive elements to sabotage our efforts. 

“The issues of voter registration, a compilation of the voters’ roll and issuance of PVCs are at the heart of any democratic elections and the Commission won’t fail to ensure that every eligible citizen who appears in person at the registration venue is registered. We assure Nigerians that the matter will be pursued to its logical conclusion.

“Already, the Commission is reviewing the procedure for collecting PVCs to make it less cumbersome and more transparent. This will be a major topic at the INEC regular quarterly meeting with stakeholders so that working together we can find a lasting solution to the issue.

“Meanwhile, we appeal to those who found the allegedly buried PVCs to deliver them to our nearest State or Local Government office. This will be their patriotic contribution to the consolidation of our electoral process.”