The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PVC

  • PVC: Fashola accuses INEC of foul play

    PVC: Fashola accuses INEC of foul play

    As the collection of Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) commenced in the state on Friday, Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of foul play and planlessness, saying its excuses for postponing distribution to residents were deceitful.

    The governor, who expressed his displeasure at a state wide broadcast, said INEC was being economical with the truth on why it decided to postpone distribution of PVC in nine local governments.

    He said, “Barely 48 hours after I addressed you about our preparations and preparedness to enable you participate in the process of issuance of your Permanent Voters’ Card as planned and announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I am constrained to address you again this morning.

    “This is because by omission or commission, INEC has decided to make this a painful experience for us in Lagos by announcing that it will only issue Permanent Voters’ Card in the following 11 local governments.”

    He listed the local governments where INEC has decided to distribute PVCs to include, Agege, Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Mushin, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, Kosofe and Ojo.

    According him, INEC has postponed the exercise in nine local governments namely – Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa Badagry, Oshodi-Isolo, Epe, Shomolu, Surulere and Eti-Osa.

    He added: “INEC now says that it will conduct the exercise on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of November, 2014.

    “I can only imagine the level of disappointment that you must all feel, having waited anxiously for this exercise and in spite of the fact that we had declared a work free day.

    “I am deeply disappointed at this display of lack of planning that speaks volumes of the contempt and disregard of this national agency for the rights of citizens.

    “I wish to recall that it was INEC that first announced that this exercise was planned for August, and later shifted to September, and later to today and yet they did not get it right.

    “If this is a foretaste of what we should expect in the general election, for me it is a bad start. It tastes awful.”

  • PVC: Council boss decries INEC’s arrangement

    PVC: Council boss decries INEC’s arrangement

    The Caretaker Chairman of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its shoddy arrangement for the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration.

    He spoke during his visit to Anglican Primary School Ward 9, where registration took place.

    Olowofela said the equipment available to the INEC officials were inadequate, adding that if things continued in such manner, many eligible voters would be disenfranchised.

    Said he: “In Ward 1, of 800 people, only 50 registered. In Ward 2, of 780 people, only 71 registered. Ward 3 is not different. That was how it happened in all the wards in the local government.

    “If things continue like this, there is no way eligible voters will not be disenfranchised.”

    Olowofela urged INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega to provide more machines.

    “The election cannot hold in 167 days’ time with this kind of arrangement. Among the 80,000 people willing to register, only about 100 have been registered.”

     

  • Group condemns INEC over insufficient PVC

    Group condemns INEC over insufficient PVC

    Socio-Political group in Oyo State, Youth Advancement Movement (YAM), has condemn the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the insufficient Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) for the residents of Ibadan North East Local Government and other part of the state.

    In a statement issued Monday by its President, Mr Abimbola Akomola and Vice-President, Mr Abbey Ale, they alleged that out of 34 polling units in Ibadan North East Local Government area, only 8 units are issuing PVC to the electorate.

    YAM said it seems like a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise the electorate in the forth coming election in the state in 2015, since only those who possess PVCs will be allowed to vote.

    “We are challenging the INEC leadership to wade into the delay in the distribution of PVCs in our council area and Oyo State at large, since it is possible that this planned disenfranchisement of the electorate may be the handwork of some compromised INEC officials in the state.

    “Anything short of an urgent resolution of the PVC crisis, which may have been instigated deliberately by unscrupulous elements within INEC, will not augur well for a free, fair and credible election in the state come February 2015” the group said.

  • PVC: Mimiko praises INEC, voters

    PVC: Mimiko praises INEC, voters

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has praised the turn-out of people and performance of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) during the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) exercise which ended yesterday.

    Mimiko spoke at the weekend after he and his wife, Kike, were presented their cards by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Akin Orebiyi at Ward 7, Unit 20 along Olusegun Mimiko Way in Ondo.

    He described the exercise as successful, stressing that the information he received indicated that the people turned out en masse for the exercise.

    Mimiko described the cards as the power of the electorate to choose credible people that would govern and represent them in political capacities.

    His words: “I encourage everybody to go out and collect their voters’ cards and urge those who are yet to register to do so when the exercise commences on Friday, because this is the powerful tool in the hands of the voter.

    “With it, you will be able to make your choice on election day. My information is that without this PVCs, you will not be allowed to vote in subsequent election in Nigeria.

    “I want to put on record that my information had it that the arrangement made by INEC has been almost flawless; the officials are well-deployed. There were hitches in some areas, which were being addressed, but by and large, INEC had done very well. The logistic is well put in place and the turnout is very impressive”.

    The governor’s wife urged women, as major players in election matters, to troop out for the exercise in order not to be disenfranchised.

    The state government had declared Friday 15th and 22nd of August as public holidays to enable public servants to participate in the fresh voters’ registration exercise as well as the collection of the newly introduced PVCs.

    The exchange of the old temporary voter card for a permanent one started last Friday and ended yesterday, while registration of fresh voters will hold between Wednesday and Friday.

  • Mixed reactions trail PVC re-validation in Anambra

    Mixed reactions trail PVC re-validation in Anambra

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been hailed and decried, following the permanent voter card (PVC) re-validation in Anambra State.

    At Umuchu in Aguata Local Government, the Progressive People’s Alliance leader in the state, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, hailed the timely response of INEC officials.

    But the former chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Pat Orjiakor, said it was regrettable that the INEC officials were not seen at Nibo community in Awka South Local Government.

    Ezeemo said INEC officials attended to people early on Friday, unlike in the past.

    He said during elections, they did not turn up in time or seen at some polling units.

    The PPA leader said if the officials continued with the spirit, they would restore confidence in the electorate.

    He urged the indigenes to make use of the opportunity offered by the re-validation to update themselves, so that they would be relevant at all times.

    Ezeemo reminded the electorate that the exercise was vital because it would enable them to elect who would govern or represent them at the state and national levels.

    He said: “Our voter card is our voice and power to elect leaders. It is our responsibility and one day will not be too much to sacrifice to obtain it.”