INEC Speaks On Extending PVC Collection

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday stated that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) will not be extended.

The electoral body dismissed the possibility of extending the date of PVC collection with the presidential election coming up in 15 days.

The INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye speaking on Channels TV said while the commission does not want to disenfranchise any Nigerian, it is impossible to extend the period for PVC collection.

Okoye said with the presidential election in sight, INEC has to move its staff from the responsibility of PVC distribution to focus on preparations for the election.

He said, “Unfortunately, this commission can no longer extend the period of collection of the PVCs.

“This is because we have just 15 days to go for the presidential election.

“Our staff who are in the local government (areas) and who are the issuance of these PVCs have to move back to what we call regular programming. They have to begin to receive the non-sensitive materials and match these non-sensitive materials in accordance with registration areas and wards and get them ready for D-day.

“They have to also make arrangements for the places where we are going to house the ad-hoc staff overnight before they are deployed at the first light to the various polling units. They have to also inspect the various polling units to make sure that the polling units are fit for purpose and ready for the 2023 general election.

“So, we have so much to do and we need to get our staff ready for this exercise.”

He further stated that the staff was also responsible for the “configuration of the BVAS” machines in readiness for the election.