An election observer group, Yaga Africa, has expressed worry over the delay by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the distribution of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) to registered voters in Anambra State few days to the governorship election.
The group said 76,104 voters who were registered during the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in the state could be disenfranchised, if the reason for the delay was not addressed.
Addressing reporters in Awka, the state capital, Deputy Board Chairman, Mr. Eznwa Nwagwu, explained that the group’s worry followed its Watch the Vote (WTV) pre-election observation.
Nwagwu listed violations of the electoral code of conduct, election violence threats and current volatility in the state, occasioned by secessionist group’s threat to shut down the region, as other ugly trends to likely impact on the election.
He said: “We commend INEC for its efforts to distribute the PVCs from previous registration exercises.
“However, Yiaga Africa is worried that with less than a week to the election, the commission is yet to begin the distribution of PVCs to the 76,104 new eligible voters who recently got registered during the CVR in the state.
“While there were distributions of PVCs in 16 local government areas, there was no record of distribution of PVCs in Anambra East, Aguata, Idemili North, Dunukofia and Onitsha South local government areas.”
Also, the group’s Director Programmes, Cynthia Mbamalu, regretted the continued attacks on political rallies and campaigns as well as excessive use of force and intimidation by security forces on the electorate.
“There were also reports of physical attacks during political parties’ campaign rallies in Ihiala and Nnewi local government areas. Assailants attacked candidate and supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the party’s rally in Ihiala where one person was shot in the leg.
“Also in Anambra East and Ihiala local government areas, Yiaga Africa’s observers reported ‘excessive use of force and intimidation by security forces (military personnel)’ on people,” she said.
While praising INEC for its efforts towards ensuring free, fair and credible poll, Yiaga Africa called for more consistent and harmonious coordination within the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to forestall violence and ensure safety of voters and electoral officials.
“As a matter of urgency, INEC should collaborate with civil society organisations (CSOs), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other relevant stakeholders to amplify and intensify voter education and inspire confidence in voters across the state.
“Security agencies should ensure their personnel are adequately trained on election security before they are deployed for the election while deploying monitoring mechanisms to checkmate and curtail personnel excesses,” the organisation said.