The Akwa Ibom state chapter of the Civil Liberty Organisation, CLO has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to produce the 4,503 snatched Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from their owners before February elections or face a strong protest.
The state Chairman CLO, Clifford Thomas, said the organisation suspects that the act was plotted by INEC andthe ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state to weaken opposition.
Thomas, in an interview with Daily Independent on Wednesday in Uyo, questioned the fate of owners of the snatched cards, adding that they may be disenfranchised to the detriment of their candidates, vowing that his organisation will resist any situation that will lead to the disenfranchisement of Nigerian eligible voters.
He said he is optimistic that votes of Nigerians will count in the February elections with the level of awareness that has been created.
Speaking further on the missing PVCs, Thomas accused INEC in the state of trying to create opportunities for chaos, warning that any group or individuals that seek to frustrate the efforts of Nigerians to have a credible, free and fair elections, will be resisted.
“How will the PVCs be snatched? Is it money, even money are not easily snatched again; we are running a cashless economy. INEC should not come out and tell us this kind of story. In fact, INEC Resident Electoral Officer should be relieved of his position immediately.
“We will not accept it. Civil society will lead a protest against that. Let the people and the person who connived go back and bring those voter cards. The owners deserve to have them.
“What will happen to the owners of those cards? Are they going to be disenfranchised? If they are disenfranchised, what will be the fate of their candidates?
“People are ready to vote, INEC should not create opportunities for chaos. INEC at the national level is doing its best to ensure that things work out well. Let people not sit down somewhere in the corner of this country and frustrate the
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