The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Ogun State, has expressed its worry over the 560, 285 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs in the state.
This was disclosed in Abeokuta, the state capital by the Administrative Secretary of INEC in the state, Mr. Dickson Atiba, on Tuesday when the state’s new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, visited INEC headquarters.
According to Atiba, the turnout of voters at the different polling units in the state for PVC collection had been very low.
Atiba said: “The total number of registered voters in Ogun State is 1,795,794 and total number of PVCs we have received so far from Abuja is 1,368,875. And out of this, 808,590 have been distributed as at today (Tuesday), which represents 59.1 per cent.
“The distribution of the cards is still ongoing in different polling units across the state. We have tried to make sure the cards are collected. We have asked our officials to write out the names on the PVC, and we will present the list to stakeholders. Atiba expressed optimism that the rate of collection will increase by next week since the commission is distributing at the polling unit level.”
The INEC Administrative Secretary said he foresaw a situation that may necessitate INEC to extend the March 8 deadline for the collection of PVCs, if uncollected number of PVCs remained high by that date.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police commended INEC for the progress it has made in ensuring free and fair elections on March 28 and April 11, adding that the police were ready to provide adequate security during and after the polls.
The CP said: “I will convene very soon the inter-agency security meeting before the elections, to deliberate on security and planning.
“The police are ready to provide adequate security. I will like to work with other security agencies to ensure free, smooth and fair elections.”
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