PVC collection,Amb Steve raps INEC
…demands study-free period for students
By Ifeoma Ikem
As Nigeria’s electorate eagerly awaits February 25 to cast their votes in order to effect a change in government, a group Speak-Up Nigeria has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to brace up to the challenge by ensuring all eligible and registered voters participate in the exercise through unhindered access to their PVCs.
He said where INEC is unable to provide seamless issuance and collection of PVCs where every registered and eligible voter gets his/her card, the electoral body should consider postponing the poll.
The convener of SUN, Ambassador Steve Nwose, made the call during a tour, alongside representatives, of some members to monitor PVC collection in Lagos.
The electoral body, it would be recalled, had given January 31 as deadline for the collection of PVCs, but amidst outcries by numerous registered voters unable to access their PVCs had shifted ground to February 5.
The electoral body explained it did so to accommodate those that were yet to get their PVCs.
But SUN believes the timeline for the PVCs collection may be too short taking into cognisance the reality on ground at council collection points.
According to Nwose, students in tertiary institutions might miss out and appealed to the authorities to provide for academic-free period, particularly a week to the elections, for students in tertiary institutions to access their voter card.
“INEC needs to get it right this time; it should make sure that all Nigerians get their PVCs before election day.
In the alternative, if this is not possible it should consider postponing the elections until every eligible voter gets his/her PVC,” Nwose stated.
“How can students collect their PVCs when they’re still in school? They should be accommodated also.
If there is need to call for a two-day break for students that registered to return home for pvc collection, then that should be done.”
Nwose noted fears that the forthcoming general elections may face serious threats of cancellation and postponement if security challenges are not properly addressed across the nation.
“Presently there are still stories reflecting the old politics of PVC distribution where in some states and LG offices where people are deliberately denied access to their PVCs based on ethnic or partisan considerations, which indicate manipulations to disenfranchise citizens,” he pointed out.
He explained that citizens complained of going to collection centers, waiting for long hours without collecting their PVC.
“Some new registrants or those who transferred to new polling units are faced with serious problems referring them to another area for their PVC or to return much later when after the deadline.
“This time everyone should be given the opportunity to exercise their civic duties.
“They must lend their voices to the cause of getting citizens to collect their PVCs and vote peacefully and participate in all aspects of our civic lives with a true patriotic spirit,” he said
