2023: Politicians purchasing PVCs to discredit 2023 elections — INEC
…To prosecute PVC buyers, sellers
…Commences nationwide distribution of PVCs
As the 2023 General Elections draw nearer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decried as one of its challenges towards a free, fair and credible election, planned scheme by politicians purchasing Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs) in large volume for foul purposes with threats of discrediting the polls.
The Commission on Monday raised alarm that some politicians have been buying up PVCs and are financially inducing unsuspecting voters to harvest their Voter Identification Numbers.
The Acting Chairman of INEC and National Commissioner overseeing the FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau States, Mohammed Haruna, raised the alarm on Monday during the launch of #YourVoteMatters project by an election observer group, NESSACTION, in Abuja, where he disclosed that two people have been recently convicted for illegal possession of PVCs in Sokoto and Kano states.
The project, supported by the International Foundation for Electoral System, IFES; the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), seeks to assist INEC in increasing the number of PVCs collected ahead of the 2023 general elections as well as the voters mobilised on election day.
Speaking, the INEC National Commissioner also warned the electorates to desist from compromising the ownership of their PVCs.
“We are aware some politicians are more or less buying the PVCs. If you collect the PVC and then you sell it out or allow someone else to have it, you are aiding illegal possession of the PVC which is an offence in our Electoral Act.
“Some of you are aware that only recently, INEC managed to convict two people who were found guilty of illegal possession of PVCs in Kano and Sokoto. So, I urge people to collect their PVCs, keep it safely, and make sure that on election day, you go out there and cast youtr votes because, of course, without your PVC you cannot vote.”
The Executive Director of NESSACTION, Ambassador Eniola Cole, explained that the project slated for implementation in the FCT, Nasarawa, and Plateau states, will provide logistics to incentivise communities with low PVC collection rates.
She said, “We implore the general public to take advantage of the timeframe set by INEC for PVC collection at the Commission’s LGA offices nationwide from December 12, 2022 to January 5, 2023, and at the 8809 Registration Areas from January 6, 2023 to January 22, 2023 including Saturdays and Sundays.
“The public can, through dedicated channels, inform us of their location in order to receive support including the PVC collection buses and community outreach activities to be conducted at the local level in each state by our community mobilisation officers.”
She commended INEC for development made in the electoral process through technology and other reforms.
INEC on Monday, commenced the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at its local government offices nationwide.
INEC has fixed between Dec. 12, 2022, and Jan. 22, 2023, as the dates for PVC collection in all its 774 local government offices nationwide from 9 a.m. to 3p.m. daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.
The exercise is expected to be devolved to the 8,809 registration areas and wards from Friday, Jan. 6, to Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.
After Jan. 15, 2023, the exercise will revert to the local government offices of the commission until Jan. 22, 2023.
Recall that last November, INEC disclosed the prosecution of persons for illegal possession of massive PVC, following arrest by the Nigeria Police Force of offenders in possession of PVCs in large sum.
In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye, on Sunday, 27th November, the offenders, Nasiru Idris was found with 101 PVCs in Sokoto States and another (name not mentioned) was caught with 367 PVCs.
Okoye stated that their offence is in contravention of Sections 117 and 145 of the Electoral Act 2022.
The statement added that the offenders are currently receiving their due punishments.
The statement had read, “In the last couple of weeks, the Nigeria Police has arrested some individuals found to be in illegal possession of voters’ cards in some States of the Federation.
“In one case, the Police have concluded the investigation and handed over the case file to the Commission resulting in the successful prosecution of one Nasiru Idris at a Magistrate Court in Sokoto who was found to be in possession of 101 PVCs in contravention of Sections 117 and 145 of the Electoral Act 2022. He has been sentenced to a year in prison.
“Similarly, the Police in Kano State have arrested a man who was found to be in possession of 367 PVCs. The suspect has been charged to Court and the Commission is pursuing his prosecution.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate that it will continue to pursue all violators of the Electoral Act and ensure their diligent prosecution.”
On PVC collection, the Commission had explained that “following the end of the statutory period for the display of the register of voters for claims and objections, the Commission is determined to make the collection of PVCs as seamless as possible. A Standard Operating Procedure has been developed.”
