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Tag: pvcs

  • Bayelsa Govt to sensitise citizenry over uncollected PVCs

    The Bayelsa Government has pledged to mobilise its citizenry to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to enable them to fully participate in the 2019 general elections.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that no fewer than 28, 590 PVCs were yet to be collected by their owners while more than 65,000 new voters had been captured in the state during the recent registration exercise.

    Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Commissioner for Information in the state made the pledge on Sunday while in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria at Opume in Ogbia Local Government Area.

    He said that the state government would mobilise the citizenry in realisation that the people were at the centre of political activities and should be encouraged to participate in the electoral process.

    “The government of Gov. Seriake Dickson realises that politics is about numbers and given the renewed confidence that we have in INEC that our votes do count, we are relying on the people and hence mobilising them to participate in elections.

    “Since we abhor politics of violence in elections, our strategy is to increase the participation of the people.

    “In Ogbia, we used to record the second largest votes but we have dropped to the fifth, due to apathy.

    “So we are looking forward to closing that gap in future elections,” he said.

    Iworiso-Markson who monitored the just concluded Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in the area expressed satisfaction at the turn out and further appealed to INEC to extend the exercise to capture all eligible voters.

    He said that after the three weeks period of the CVR, prospective voters were still turning up for the exercise which ended on Friday.

    “The people of Opume kingdom have shown so much enthusiasm in responding to the call to participate in their civic responsibility to participate in the electoral process.

    “They keep coming out and even on the final day of the exercise some people are yet to be captured and we are hoping that INEC officers will report to the leadership for possible extension,” the commissioner said.

     

  • INEC to redistribute 1.4m unclaimed PVCs in Lagos

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State on Friday said that it was making plans to redistribute the unclaimed 1.4 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

    “We are actually working out a new strategy,” the INEC boss told NAN, as he explained the commission’s plan to redistribute the permanent voter cards.

    Olumekun, who expressed concerned over the number of uncollected PVCs in Lagos state, urged the owners to go to INEC offices in their local government areas for collection.

    TheNewsGuru reports Lagos state has the highest number of unclaimed PVCs in the country.

    INEC had said that it was still in possession of 7,920,129 permanent voter cards yet to be collected from its offices across the nation.

    A breakdown of the uncollected PVCs as at March revealed that Lagos had the highest number of 1,401,390 followed by Oyo with 647,586 and Edo which had 449,001 while Kano had 195,941.

    The figure also showed Bauchi State as having the least number of uncollected PVCs, 15,542, followed by Bayelsa and Plateau which had 28,533 and 25,300 cards respectively.

     

  • 2019: Get your PVCs to ‘change the change’, David Mark advises Nigerians

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, on Friday advised Nigerians to get their permanent voter cards (PVCs) to ‘change the change’ in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    Also, the former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, who toed the line, urged the people of the state to ensure the exit of the present administration.

    Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rode to power in 2015 on the ‘Change Mantra.’

    He said that would be achievable if all eligible voters obtained their PVCs.

    President of Catholic Diocesan Priests of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Onmoke, laid the template for the discussion during the funeral service of Mrs. Lynda Moro, wife of the former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, at Ugbokolo in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday.

    Mark said, “We appreciate the sermon of the reverend father, he has said it all. Let our people get their (permanent) voter cards so as to change the ‘change.’”

    The priest had described Nigeria as a country in mourning as a result of the incessant killings being witnessed across the country.

    Onmoke said he was ashamed that the government in Nigeria had become docile as it allegedly watched helplessly as the country bled on a daily basis.

    The priest lamented that the killings had continued despite the assurances by President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the killings in the country during the recent visit by Catholic bishops to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    He, therefore, urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the country to overcome its present state of insecurity, while advising Catholic faithful to arm themselves with rosaries.

    He also advised school owners and educators to close their schools early enough to enable children to return home peacefully.

    According to Onmoke , the Catholic Church will never be silent about killings, especially the one allegedly going on in Benue State, including the recent ones at Omusu village in Okpokwu Local Government Area, which reportedly claimed about 24 lives.

    He said, “How would they have driven to Omusu and not detected by anyone? It is not enough to send soldiers (there). A Fulani man will not allow a Fulani soldier to kill a fellow Fulani man.

    “We will continue to pray because the God we serve is a warrior and he will never abandon his people. I’m not a politician but I’m speaking the mind of the people. We should all go out and register because our country is bleeding.”

     

  • JUST IN: INEC to begin distribution of PVCs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to their owners will begin by middle of May.

    The Ebonyi INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Godswill Obioma disclosed at a strategic security interactive meeting on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

    The strategic meeting involved INEC officials, representatives of security outfits involved in the conduct of election as well as the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    Obioma said that the commission would commence the distribution of the PVCs to eligible electorate, who registered between 2017 and 2018.

    He urged security officials, who were yet to register, to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to register.

    He further urged members of the security agencies, who transferred from other locations, wishing to transfer their cards to Ebonyi to approach any INEC office nearest to them for the transfer.

    He warned against double registration, noting that any double registration would result to cancellation and disqualification of the voter.

    “We have concluded arrangements for the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards to their owners and the exercise begins by mid May and will involve those who registered between 2017 and 2018.

    “We have begun early to plan for the 2019 elections and I want to assure you that we will do our best to eliminate factors that will compromise outcome, credibility and integrity of the elections.

    “Let me use the opportunity to urge officers who have not registered to register and those wishing to do card transfer to visit any INEC office for the update,” Obioma said.

    The resident commissioner said that the strategic meeting was part of the early preparatory arrangements by the commission aimed at mobilising its critical partners and stakeholders.

    He said that the interactive security meeting would deepen collaboration between the security operatives and the commission and boost proper security arrangements and understanding ahead of the elections.

    According to him, the meeting is running concurrently at the three Senatorial zones of Ebonyi including Ebonyi South, Ebonyi Central and Ebonyi North Senatorial zones.

    “The briefing is called cluster briefing running concurrently at the three Senatorial zones of the state which has in attendance all security agencies involved in the Inter Agency Consultative on Election Security (IACES).

    “The aim is to plan properly, especially in the areas of security and the idea is to share information on the proper conduct of elections.

    “The commission is making plans in earnest for smooth, transparent and credible elections and we need adequate security to ensure safety and security of INEC staff and materials,” he said.

    He explained that IACES had set up a security sub-committee to identify number of security personnel to be deployed to polling units and voting points.

    He said that security operatives that would be involved in the election would undergo a joint training programme on election security.

    He said the training would enable the operatives imbibe high ethical standard before the elections as well as equip them with knowledge of security strategies developed by INEC to ensure credible poll.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi and chairman of IACES, Mr Titus Sumba-Lamorde said security operatives would ensure that safety of voters, INEC materials and officials are guaranteed during the elections.

    The Commissioner, who was represented by DSP Linus Iwuanyanwu, Divisional Police Officer, Izzi Police Division, charged operatives who would be engaged in the election exercise to display professionalism and high ethical conduct.

    He said that IACES and the commission would address all security concerns that would be articulated in the meeting with a view to enhancing proper security arrangements before, during and after the elections.

    “Security agencies will ensure proper synergy and collaboration to enhance security of INEC sensitive and non-sensitive materials including election officials during the elections,” Sumba-Lamorde said.

    He said the meeting was part of the Election Projects Plan and contributions to enable the commission to effectively plan on security matters for the election.

    Security agencies in attendance include: Army, Police, Department of State Security, Prisons, Civil Defence, Road Safety, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and NOA among others.

     

  • Sultan of Sokoto urges Muslims to get their PVCs ahead of 2019 elections

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Supreme Council of Islamic for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Saad Abubakar has stressed the need for all Muslim ummah to take advantage of the ongoing Continues Voter Registration CVR to obtained a voters card ahead of the 2019 General elections.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 32nd edtion of the National Quranic Recitation Competition holding in Katsina, Saad said it is only by doing this that one can have a say as to who becomes what and when.
    According to him, the Muslim population is mass and it is those with cards are eligible to vote.
    He said one can only actively participate with having a voters card noting that it is high time the Muslim ummah realised the need for it adding that ‎’ let’s get our voters card because it is with it that we can seek for our rights with our votes. All Muslims to seek their cards to enable us vote, People will come seek for votes and we shall then tell then what we need of them’
    He enjoined leaders to fear God and the followers as well and should always pray so that we forged ahead in this trying period of our times adding that leaders must redouble effort to boost peaceful coexistence in various places.
    In his remarks, the state governor Aminu Masari said the scourge of Almajiri education must be holistically looked at by all stakeholders giving the increasing misuse and social vices of system.
    About 360 participants took part from 32 states and FCT in the 8 days event.
    Amina Aliyu Mohd from Borno state and Amiru Yunus Guru from Bauchi state emerging as the overall winners carting home brand new cars, Hajj seats and other cash donations.
    Gombe state was announced as winner of the hosting of next years 33rd edition of the competition.

  • All registered voters will get PVCs before 2019 – INEC assures Nigerians

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said eligible persons registered in ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) would get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before 2019 general elections.

    The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known at an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja.

    “Those who registered in 2017, their PVCs will be ready in May; for those who registered in 2018 and those who intend to register will all get their PVCs before the 2019 general elections.

    “For now, we are giving priority attention to Ekiti and Osun governorship elections but all registered Nigerians will get their PVCs before the elections,” he said.

    Yakubu said that there were 1,446 centres across the country where the voter registration was ongoing, adding that 400 Direct Data Capture machines had been deployed to hasten the process.

    He said that the commission was committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections and improving the electoral process in the country.

    He urged the media to monitor the process of forthcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti and report grey areas for immediate actions by the commission.

    The INEC helmsman said that the media should collaborate with the commission on the task of ensuring credible elections by exposing any form of irregularities.

    He said that discussions were ongoing with telecommunication providers to ascertain the availability of 4G and 3G networks in rural areas to support transmission of election results electronically from polling stations.

    He said that the order of the 2019 elections as announced by the commission remained until a new law on elections was enacted.

    Yakubu said the commission had completed all preparatory steps ahead the elections and that the election budget would be presented to the appropriate authorities before the end of the week.

    He disclosed that the committee constituted to investigate alleged registration of under-age persons in Kano would commence work on Wednesday.

    According to him, the commission knows that a credible election begins with a credible voter register and the commission is interested in knowing what exactly happened in Kano.

    The chairman assured that only credible voter register would be used to conduct elections in 2019.

    In separate contributions, journalists urged the commission to train and monitor the activities of its ad hoc personnel, saying that it was necessary to reduce chances of being compromised.

    They urged the electoral umpire to consider the transfer of rural polling units in the North-East to urban centres so as not to disenfranchise Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

  • INEC to decide on political associations seeking registration Wednesday

    INEC to decide on political associations seeking registration Wednesday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would on Wednesday disclose its decision on political associations seeking to be registered as political parties.

    Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen at ongoing workshop to review INEC’s Communication Policy, on Monday in Abuja.

    Yakubu said the decision would be made public after the commission meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) scheduled for Wednesday in Kaduna.

    “Let me assure Nigerians that under the Electoral Act, the commission is required to register new political parties and the guidelines are very clear for registration.

    “As at last week we received 95 applications for registration as new political parties.

    “At the end of this workshop there is going to be a retreat on Wednesday to review the ongoing voter registration, followed by a meeting of the commission here in Kaduna.

    “There will be a statement on parties after the meeting of the commission,” Yakubu said.

    He added that the commission would on Wednesday also give an update on the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), after the commission’s meeting with the field officers to review the exercise

    “We will do a mid-quarter review after six weeks and the mid-quarter review will come up here in Kaduna and we will issue our statement here after.”

    Yakubu also disclosed that the commission would extend the CVR in Anambra to ward levels ahead of the state governorship election.

    He added that people who registered in the state before the first quarter 2017 would obtain their Permanent​ Voter Cards (PVCs) before the state governorship election.

    “We will soon announce the date for the commencement of the exercise.

    “So those who have registered under the current CVR and those who will register when we devolve to ward level will all have their PVCs ahead of the election.

    “For those who have registered and are going to vote in Anambra, I want to assure them that they will have their cards. It is for those who have done it in the first quarter of this year.”

    On the pending senatorial district election in Anambra, the chairman said that specific date was yet to be fixed for the election as the case was still in court.

    “You know the matter is before the Court of Appeal.

    “A date was fixed, May 30, but at the court, one of the parties prayed for adjournment to June 12 or June 13.”

     

  • Sellers, buyers of PVCs now risk 2-years jail term, N.5m fine – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has warned that people who engage in selling and buying of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) now risk two years jail term and a N500,000 fine.

    This was revealed by the Commission’s Administrative Secretary in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq on Wednesday in Sokoto, at a one-day Stakeholders’ Forum on the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise, scheduled to begin on Thursday.

    The exercise is expected to be flagged off by Mrs. Amina Zakari, INEC National Commissioner in charge of the North West.

    He said that a similar punishment would be meted to any person found to be in possession of a voter’s card unlawfully.

    “There is also a one-year jail term, N100,000 fine, or both, for any person who makes a false statement, fails to give information or facilitate the registration of a fictitious person,” he said.

    He said that a five-year jail term, N500,000 fine, or both, awaited anyone who induced any person to refrain from registering a voter.

    According to Sadiq, same punishment will be meted out to any person who hinders another from registering as a voter.

    The official said that the offences contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, and warned members of the public to steer clear of them.

    He said that INEC was working with security agencies to prevent political parties from hijacking the exercise.

    Sadiq warned INEC staff to avoid any action that could compromise the integrity of the exercise, saying that anyone caught would be sanctioned.

    A cross section of the stakeholders, who spoke with NAN, commended the commission for being proactive, and promised their support toward the success of the exercise. (NAN)

  • 1.4m PVCs yet to be collected in Lagos, says INEC official

    1.4m PVCs yet to be collected in Lagos, says INEC official

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State says there are 1, 425, 282 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) yet to be collected in the state.

    The new Administrative Secretary of INEC in the state, Dr Mudashiru Mustapha disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    He spoke on the sideline of the commission’s Stakeholders’ Meeting with political parties on Tuesday.

    NAN reports that the event, which had no fewer than 20 state chairmen of different political parties in attendance, was organised by INEC to seek support for the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

    The CVR exercise, scheduled to be flagged-off by the commission on April 27 nationwide, will also provide avenue for people who were yet to collect their PVCs to do so.

    Mustapha said: “There are so many PVCs yet to be claimed by their owners in Lagos State. We want residents to go to INEC offices in each of the 20 Local Governments in the state.

    “We want to canvass for the support of leaders of political parties for mobilisation of eligible residents for the forthcoming nationwide Continuous Voters Registration exercise.

    “The commission needs your understanding, support and cooperation to mobilise residents for this continuous voters registration, even though we have done the needful in awareness campaign.

    “There is no way we can achieve success without leaders of political parties, we want to solicit your support because you are closer to the people and live among them.

    “Voter card is the power people have to elect their representatives, they must be encouraged to come out en masse and get registered. Help us sensitise and mobilise the people.”

    Earlier, Mustapha assured the party representatives that the commission had put necessary measures to ensure a hitch free exercise.

    Mrs Seye Soriyan, the Head of Department, ICT/Voters’ Registry, also highlighted the eligibility and procedures for the fresh registration, transfer and distribution of PVCs.

    Soriyan said that the exercise would be from Monday to Friday every week between 9 a.m and 3.p.m. at the INEC office in each of the 20 local government areas of the state.

    According to her, each of the local governments will have five Registration Area Officers who will register eligible residents and distribute PVCs ready for collection.

    Soriyan said eligible persons for registration include those who turned 18 years after the last exercise in 2015 and those who did not register before.

    She added that those who want to transfer their voting centres were also free to register during the exercise.

    Soriyan explained that those registered would be given temporary Voter Cards, before their PVCs became ready after six months.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that party leaders at the meeting had urged the commission to make the exercise less stressful by decentralising it to the ward level.

    Political parties represented at the meeting include All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, KOWA Party, Labour Party, Young Democratic Party (YDP) among others.