INEC resumes PVC collection in Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo
In anticipation of the November 11 governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has commenced collecting Permanent Voter Cards PVCs.
This was revealed in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee.
He stated, “As part of our ongoing preparations for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in the states of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi, the Commission has approved the resumed collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for registered voters who were unable to do so before the exercise was suspended on February 5, 2023, in advance of the previous general election. The current exercise only applies to the three States that will hold governorship elections on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
The PVCs will be available for pickup in each of our three Local Government Area Offices: eight in Bayelsa, 27 in Imo, and 21 in Kogi. Additionally, the Commission established other designated centers with a significant volume of uncollected PVCs. The Resident Electoral Commissioners of the three States will make all of the centers’ information available.
He claims that the Commission has designated weekdays (Monday through Friday) between the hours of 9.00am and 3.00pm for the collection of PVCs for a period of four weeks between the 11th September and the 9th October 2023.
Two resident electoral commissioners (RECs) have since been transferred to different States.
In light of the upcoming off-cycle governorship election, Mr. Obo Effanga, the REC for Edo State, assumes control in Bayelsa State, while Professor Ayobami Salami relocates from Ekiti State to Lagos, according to Olumekun.
After the final holders of the offices completed their terms, the two States are among those without RECs.
The Commission again calls on all political parties and candidates to act peacefully throughout their ongoing campaigns and to refrain from saying or doing anything that could disrupt the peace.
