The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that 4,658 Permanent Voter Cards were snatched during last week’s distribution of the cards in nine local government areas of Edo State.
The Commission said a total of 3,661 PVCs were snatched in eight polling units in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Baritor Kpagih while briefing journalists on the outcome of the distribution exercise.
He said the Commission also lost 997 of the cards in Etsako West and Ovia North-East local government areas of the state.
Kpagih decried cases of card theft despite warnings by the commission that the PVCs could only be useful by their rightful owners. He stated that the matter had been reported to the police, while the commission would also commence an internal investigation.
“We also want to put it on record that we were a bit disappointed that in spite of our appeal to all our people to recognise the fact that stealing and snatching of cards will be of no use because these cards can only be used by the card holder, such events still took place in a number of local government areas.
“The most disturbing is the one that took place in Orhrionmwon Local Government Area, where a total number of 3,661 cards were snatched from eight polling units.
“The case has been reported to the police and we believe that the Police will do a good job,” he said.
He said some of the challenges the Commission had in the distribution of the PVC’s had to do with lateness of INEC workers at the units and delayed training of members of staff.
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