The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)

  • Polls: Army arrests 19 in Lagos, Ogun

    Operatives of the Nigerian Army yesterday arrested 19 persons for electoral offences in Lagos and Ogun States.

    They also recovered 111 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from a suspect at Oshodi, 10 cutlasses, an axe, iron rod and objects suspected to be mortals from hoodlums at Olayinka in Ajegunle, Lagos.

    Four of the suspects including a soldier who breached the movement restriction order, a man carrying charms and a thug were arrested by operatives of the 9 Brigade at Mushin, Oshodi and Ikeja areas of Lagos State respectively.

    It was gathered that the suspect held at Onigbongbo was fighting at a polling unit, while the soldier and a civilian were arrested at Mushin for breaching movement restriction order.

    Confirming the arrests, the Commander 9 Brigade Gen. Lagbaja Abiodun told our Correspondent that another suspect was apprehended with charms at a polling unit in Oshodi while trying to cause a fight.

    He said: “We made three arrests. One was at Onigbongbo involving a young man who was causing trouble. We arrested a soldier and a civilian around Mushin. The soldier was not on election duty and he was breaching the movement restriction order. Because he was with a civilian, it was believed they had intent to cause trouble.

    “Another man was arrested at Oshodi with charms and he was causing a fight. All the suspects are currently in out barrack and would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he said.

    At Olayinka in Ajegunle where weapons were recovered, The Nation gathered that thugs had invaded the area in a bid to disrupt election but were confronted by soldiers stationed not far from a polling unit.

    While the suspects fled, the soldiers, according to spokesman for 81 Division, Laolu Daudu, a Lieutenant Colonel, apprehended one of them.

    Daudu said seven suspects were also arrested at Makinde area of Oshodi for attempting to snatch ballot boxes, three hoodlums held at Ogere in Ogun State and handed over to the police; a military impersonator at Abule Ogun and one false Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official apprehended opposite Redemption camp, Owode.

    Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu on yesterday evening ordered the arrest of party officials and candidates found at ward or local government collation centres in the state.

    Muazu who described the election as peaceful, noted that the officials and candidates were violating the Electoral Act by being present at collation centres and their presence could spring violence.

    He gave the order while on tour of Ward collation centres in Ikeja Local Government Area (LGA) after observing the presence of some party officials.

    The commissioner ordered them out of the centres, directing the Police officers leading security teams to arrest anyone found in 15 minutes.

    “Each party is supposed to send a representative to the collation centres. Only the party agents are to be at the collation centres. No candidates who have contested election should be here and no party chieftain.

    “Only electoral officers bringing in results and party agents are wanted here. Any candidate or party official found here has contravened the Electoral Act and would be arrested. Arrest them and bring them to my cell. I have food to give them.

    “I do not anticipate any post election violence. The whole exercise has been good thus far. We have seen from the polling units and now visited all collation centres in Ikeja Local Government Area and the process is moving smoothly. No problems anywhere.

    “Collation has started in the four wards we have visited in Ikeja. We have seen adequate security in those areas and we have not received complaints from any of the officers over the collation exercises.

    “I have reports of few arrests made within Lagos but I cannot give you details because I am yet to receive full reports from the Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs).”

  • 1. 7 million PVCs collected in Taraba – INEC

    A total of  one million, seven hundred and thirty three thousand, four hundred and seventy nine (1,733,479) Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected by the electorate in Taraba state ahead of Saturday’s presidential and national election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Thursday.
    Spokesman of the commission in the state, Fabian Yame, who briefed reporters in Jalingo, disclosed that the total number of registered voters in Taraba state were 1,777,105.

    Read Also: INEC working for PDP, says Oshiomhole

    He said: “1,733, 479 have been claimed by their owners as at the end of the collection exercise on Monday. 43, 626  PVCs are yet to be collected.”
    He added that an additional 428,727 new voters made a difference between the total number of registered voters in 2015 and 2019 elections.
    According to him, “then number of registered voters in the 2015 general elections was 1,348,358, while those for the 2019 general elections is 1,777,105.”

  • INEC cautions students against violence during elections

    Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kwara State, has advised students of the University of Ilorin to shun violence during and after the forthcoming general elections in the state.

    Attaihiru-Madami gave the advice on Tuesday in Ilorin while addressing students of the university on the coming general elections in the state.

    “You should refuse to be used as political thugs to foment trouble before, during and after the elections.

    “Tell the politicians who approach you to be their thugs to make use of their children,” he said.

    According to him, students are very vulnerable and can easily be lured with money to cause trouble during the elections.

    The REC also appealed to the students not to campaign for any political party within the premises of the polling units.

    Attahiru-Madami warned that any student caught campaigning on the day of the election would be arrested and prosecuted.

    He said students should go to the polling units on Election Day with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to cast their votes for candidates of their choice and be peaceful.

    Read Also: PDP exposes INEC’s ‘rigging’ plans

    REC called on students, who were yet collect their PVCs to do so, on or before Feb 8, the last day for the exercise.

    “Your PVC is your weapon to elect leaders of your choice, leaders that will bring dividends of democracy to you.”

    He assured the university community of INEC readiness to conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable elections which would be adjudged the best in the country.

    The REC also admonished them against selling their PVCs for any amount, saying that if they should trade their PVCs for paltry sum of money, they would be mortgaging their future.

    He disclosed that 1, 130, 266 PVCs had so far been collected out of the 1, 406, 457 registered PVCs in the state.

    Attahiru-Madami expressed optimism that sizeable number out of the remaining 277, 184 uncollected PVCs would be collected before the Feb 8 deadline for the exercise.

    He also said that on Election Day, no camera or phone would be allowed into the voting cubicle.

    According to REC,voters will leave their phones with the Presiding Officers and collect same back after dropping their ballot papers.

    “Food is not allowed in the premises of the polling areas, voters are advised to eat before coming to vote.

    “This is to discourage vote buying by politicians, because bringing food to voters at the polling units amounts to influencing voters to vote for their candidates.”

    The REC also said that no vehicle would be allowed at the polling units, adding that politicians might capitalise on that to bring money in the vehicle to buy voters.

    NAN

  • Only deployed card readers will read PVCs – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says only Smart Card Readers deployed by it for the general elections can authenticate Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and communicate to its system.

    The commission made this known in a statement on “Fake News Alert’’ published on its website and its social media platforms on Wednesday, in reaction to a video clip circulating on the internet.

    The statement said that INEC’s attention had been drawn to a video purportedly showing a radio presenter with what was said to be a card reader.

    Read Also: 2019: Nobody can rig polls – INEC

    It said that the development would be investigated to ascertain whether what was shown was indeed INEC’s Smart Card Reader.

    The commission assured that mere possession of the card reader did not in itself give the card or its operator “access to our system and processes’’.

    “All card readers to be deployed in elections are to be specifically configured and have certain attributes or credentials which must be known and recognized by our system.

    “It will not be able to receive or transmits data or communicate with the PVCs in our system,’’ it stated.

    NAN

  • 2019: Vote for a godly man, says CAC president

    … Dedicates church complex in Abuja 

    The President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun on Thursday urged Nigerians to vote for a Godly man in the forthcoming 2019 presidential election.

    Akinosun said same applies to other elective offices across the country. 

    He spoke in Abuja at the official dedication  ceremony of the newly built CAC complex, Medaiyese regional headquarters, Garki-Abuja. 

    The clergy man advised all those yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in preparation for next year’s general elections to do so, pleading with Christians to pray constantly for leaders and the 2019 general elections. 

    The CAC boss said: “Because of our lack of prayers maybe that is why our leaders are misbehaving. If we know our roles as representatives of God and try to fulfill our roles God will be leading them aright on what they should do.”

    Read Also: Liberating Nigeria through advocacy and sensitization

    His words: “My message for Nigerians in general is that I am urging all and our leaders to look into the lord for solution to the numerous problems facing the country. We should look unto God for change of our behaviors and move nearer to God and call on him to help us. 

    “We have to be Godly in all our steps and everything that we should do as a good Christian is to be praying constantly. 

    “As the 2019 general election is approaching it is our duty to tell all those that have not  collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in preparation for next year’s general elections. PVCs to go and do so. One of the duties of a good citizen is to vote for a Godly man. This time around I am not begging People to vote for party, they should vote for a Godly man and Godly men around them that they know if he or she is voted into office the person will perform. 

    “Any Christian who feels that he or she is called to meet the needs of people. People are suffering and what to change the situation the person can go into politics. They should have good intention.”

    Many of the church leaders and members from across the country gathered in Abuja for the dedication. 

  • 2019: INEC ready for primaries–REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says it is ready for effective monitoring of the primaries of the 91 political parties.

    Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, said this on Friday in Awka at the quarterly meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

    Orji said that though the number of political parties recently increased to 91, the commission had put in place measures for effective monitoring of the primaries.

    “We have put the security agencies on alert on the up-coming parties’ primaries in the state and I believe security will not be an issue during the primaries,’’ he said.

    Orji, however, urged members of political parties to be peaceful during the exercise.

    He also said about  100,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected in the state, adding that the meeting deliberated on ways to step up action for speedy collection of the cards.

    Read Also: INEC vows to tackle vote-buying

    “It is disturbing that we still have this number of PVCs uncollected in spite of awareness by INEC to make the owners of these cards to pick them up,’’ he said.

    Mr Mike Okoli, the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, gave an assurance that all security measures had been put in place for primaries and the 2019 general elections.

    “Even if the INEC says that election is coming up next week, for us in the security sector,  I feel we are battle ready to make sure that things work out properly,’’  he said.

    Mr Aremu Kehinde, the state’s Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), told newsmen that the scheme was committed to the security of corps members to be used as ad hoc staff during the elections.

    Kehinde, however, said that he was pleased with the arrangement made so far for corps members, assuring voters that they would be patriotic in their conduct during the exercise.

  • 2019: Cleric charge Christians to obtain PVCs

    Pastor Moses Oyedele of the Living Faith Church, Durumi in the FCT has called on eligible voters among Christians to obtain their Permanent Voter cards (PVCs).

    Oyedele, who made the call on Sunday in a sermon to the congregation, said this was to enable them elect leaders of their choice in the 2019 general elections.

    “The objective of the PVC is that, every registered voter gets his or her card on time so as to allow him or her exercise his or her franchise during the elections.

    “Already, there are complaints over the collection of the cards, as many of the registered voters are unable to get their PVCs,’’ he said.

    He said possession of PVC was only the means through which the electorate could chose leaders of their choice.

    “As the nation general election draws closer, I appeal to the body of Christ who are eligible to vote to register and get their voter cards.

    “This will enable them to vote God-fearing leaders and of proven integrity, in the interest of national development.

    “The electorate can only actualise their dreams for good governance if they vote leaders of proven integrity.

    “They can only vote leaders of their choice when they register and have their voter cards,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set Aug. 17as deadline for the Continuous Voter Registration – CVR.

  • INEC expresses worries over 7m uncollected PVCs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed worries over the number of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    According to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, there are seven million (7million) PVCs yet to be collected, while about ten million (10million) fresh registrants have just been added to the voter register.

    Read Also:563, 051 PVCs collected in Ekiti – INEC

    Yakubu fear that by the time the PVCs of the fresh registrants are available, there will be about 17 million waiting for collection.

    He therefore challenged the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to focus on how to mobilize the people to collect their voter card.

    “We need to focus attention on the collection of the available PVCs. We have about 7 million uncollected and the ongoing registration is going about 10 million, so we would end up with17 million PVCs.

    “So we should focus attention at this point on the collection of the PVC,” he added.

  • INEC says 5,000 PVCs ready for collection in Bwari

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Bwari, Abuja, said on Monday that 5, 000 Permanent Voter Cards ( PVC’s ) were now ready for collection.

    The INEC Electoral Officer, Mrs Idowu Olayemi, made this disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting, organised by the commission in Abuja.

    According to Olayemi, the 5, 730 PVCs that were ready for collection in six centres within the council, were for those who registered in 2017 only.

    She explained that only those who registered in Bwari central and Kuduru wards should collect theirs at the Bwari INEC office.

    She further explained that those who registered at Kubuwa- Byagyin, Dutse, Usuma and Ushafa wards should collect theirs at the distributing centres within the wards respectively.

    Others, she added, are Shere, Kawu, Idu wards in the council.

    Olayemi also noted that no one was permitted to collect the cards by proxy.

    She said all registered voters must go to their various centres to collect their cards and they should not send anyone to collect the cards for them.

    The officer also stated that the commission was still expecting more PVCs from the 2017 registration, as the cards were coming in batches.

    She encouraged those who might not be able to collect theirs in the first batch to remain patient as all the cards would be available before the 2019 elections.

    According to her, the exercise has so far not encountered any challenge but smooth with an impressive turnout on a daily basis.

    Olayemi also said that the registration was ongoing until December or until further directive from the INEC headquarters to stop the exercise.

    The meeting was attended by representatives of the security agencies in the council, political party executives and newsmen among others.

  • Voter registration: Umahi declares April 20 work-free day

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi state has declared Friday, April 20,work- free day to enable civil servants in the state register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    Mr Hygenius Nwokwu, Secretary to State Government, via a statement issued on Thursday in Abakaliki, said Umahi declared the work-free day in exercise of powers conferred on him by the Public Holiday Act.

    According to Nwokwu, the governor “declared one day work-free day to avail all civil servants in the state opportunity to participate in the important exercise’’.

    According to him, “Pursuant to Section (2), subsection (2) of the Public Holidays Act, His Excellency, Executive Governor of Ebonyi has graciously declared Friday April 20, work-free day.

    “This is to enable public and civil servants to go home, register and obtain their PVCs in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

    “The governor is deeply concerned with the success of the registration in the state and is committed to ensuring that all eligible voters in the state register and collect their PVCs ahead of 2019 elections.

    “We urge every eligible voter in the civil and public service of the state to explore this opportunity to go home, register and obtain their voter cards, “Nwokwu said.

    NAN