By EDMOND ODOK
Trust Nigerian politicians with their mischiefs, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) now has its hands full unraveling circumstances surrounding the discovery of a large consignment of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) allegedly buried in the compound of a highly-placed individual in the country.
Expressing furry over the viral video on the allegations, the Electoral umpire said investigations have already commenced into the incident, vowing that anyone involved in the ‘diabolical scheme’ would be severely dealt with and sanctioned.
The Commission’s stance on the issue was conveyed in a press statement issued on Thursday by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, with a promise to also review procedures for collecting PVCs going forward
The full text of the statement posted on the INEC Twitter handle read thus:
“REPORT OF UNCOLLECTED PERMANENT VOTERS’ CARDS (PVCs) DISCOVERED IN INAPPROPRIATE LOCATIONS
“The attention of the Commission has been drawn to videos trending online of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) allegedly buried underground in some locations, including the compound of a high-profile person.
“The Commission is not taking these allegations lightly. We have commenced immediate investigation ‘and anyone found culpable in this diabolical scheme clearly intended to disenfranchise Nigerians will be sanctioned under the law.
“Every eligible Nigerian who registered as a voter is entitled to his/her PVC. The constitutional right to vote in any election must never be suppressed or abridged in any way.
“As far as the record of the Commission is concerned, PVCs have been printed for all valid registrants in Nigeria up to 14th January 2022 and delivered to all the States of the Federation for collection by voters. We will not allow retrogressive elements to sabotage our efforts.
“The issues of voter registration, a compilation of the voters’ roll, and issuance of PVCs are at the heart of any democratic elections and the Commission won’t fail to ensure that every eligible citizen who appears in person at the registration venue is registered. We assure Nigerians that the matter will be pursued to its logical conclusion.
“Already, the Commission is reviewing the procedure for collecting PVCs to make it less cumbersome and more transparent. This will be a major topic at the INEC regular quarterly meeting with stakeholders so that working together we can find a lasting solution to the issue.
“Meanwhile, we appeal to those who found the allegedly buried PVCs to deliver them to our nearest State or Local Government office. This will be their patriotic contribution to the consolidation of our electoral process.
National Commissioner and Chairman
Information and Voter Education Committee