PVC
Abuja, July 19, 2018 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties to sensitise Nigerians to register and collect their Permanent Vote Card (PVC) to enable them vote in the 2019 elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner REC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Yahaya Bello, made the call at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Kwali.
Bello said that political parties were the major beneficiaries of the electoral process but were doing little or nothing to enhance the process.
Acording to him, people are registering for the PVCs but the major challenge is that they are not coming back to them.
He said that Kwali Area Council alone had 7, 284 uncollected PVCs, insisting that “INEC wants all the uncollected PVCs collected before 2019 so as to have an enhanced election in 2019.
“So, political parties need to do more to sensitise people to come and collect their cards because if the cards are not collected how will they vote for you?
“You also need to carry the women along as well because on Aug. 17, INEC will suspend registration to enable them concentrate on distribution of cards.
Bello said that INEC brought the sensitisation to the grassroots so as to address the numerous challenges and questions the people had.
He said that the meeting was also a familiarisation tour for him in order to introduce himself to the people as the new REC and to seek their support.
The INEC Administrative Secretary in the territory, Mr Nick Dazang, cautioned the people against double registration because such persons’ names would be deleted from the register.
Dazang also warned against possession of cloned cards as the voter cards could never be imitated or forged, disclosing that there was an antenna in the card that allowed INEC to read all data collected from people.
“So, if you bring a cloned card, the smart card reader will not authenticate it and as such, you can never vote.
“PVCs have security features more than any other card in the country, especially with the 10 finger capturing.”
He said that though Nigerians were innovative, they tend to use it mostly for negative things.
The Estu of Kwali, Dr Audu Nizazo III, assured INEC of his support and commitment to ensure that all the PVCs were collected.
He said that the people would try their best but that the greatest role lay with INEC.
According to the traditional ruler, the commission needs to play its role as an unbiased umpire in 2019.
“Our major thing is that when you have umpire, the game will be a good one.”
He urged INEC to leverage on its mandate to ensure free, fair and credible elections always.
On his part, Chairman of the council, Mr Joseph Shazin, who was represented by the Head of Administration, Alhaji Abubakar Mumbu, commended INEC for bringing the program to the grassroots.
Shazin said that the meeting was an eye-opener for the council, adding that the messages would be stored for all the people.
He added that the council would continue to give INEC necessary support so as to have a good election. (NAN)
ATAB/OPI