INEC distributes PVCs in Plateau, Kwara

THE Head of Electoral Operations in Plateau State, Mr. Yagba Kumdu, has stated that the state Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received 1,359,805 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) out of which it distributed 1,072,352 at the initial stage, which is 78.9 percent.

   Kumdu stated this at a stakeholders’ forum on the commission’s activities and preparations for this year’s general elections. 

   He pointed out that as at January 19th this year, additional 47,895 PVCs were distributed, maintaining that the process is ongoing until the end of the month. He advised members of the public to go to their various local council secretariats to collect the cards.

   Also in Kwara State, INEC said it has distributed 711,920 permanent voters’ cards out of 1,032,970 received.

   The figures do not however represent those who participated in the continuous voters registration exercise.

   The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo disclosed this at the stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin, saying the cards of those who participated in the continuous voters’ registration are being processed.

   The session was attended by representatives of political parties, security agencies, labour unions, among others.

   The REC disclosed that two polling units in Ekiti Local Council where PVCs were snatched are being processed for replacement soon, advising the people to collect their cards, adding that those without PVC would not be allowed to vote.

    Urging political parties and politicians to conduct themselves peacefully, Onucheyo urged stakeholders to discharge their responsibilities towards a free and fair election.

   Speaking on behalf of the police, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salihu Garuba, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Zanna Ibrahim, said they are committed to a peaceful exercise.

   The state Director of State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Tanimu Alkali promised that security agencies would be neutral, fair and professional in their conduct.

   The SSS director who noted that thuggery is one of the problems in the state, stressed that anybody caught with weapons no matter how highly placed would be dealt with, urging politicians to educate their supporters to be peaceful.

Also at the event, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Plateau State Command, Mr. Sunday Maku disclosed that the state command recorded 35 road crashes from December 2014 to January where 10 people lost their lives while 222 persons were arrested for various traffic offences while 154 persons were prosecuted.

He added that 11 persons were discharged and accredited while 143 people were convicted.

Maqku stressed that the crashes were as a result of carelessness on the part of the road users, warning however that for Nigerians to have peaceful elections, they must drive safely in order to be alive for the elections.

Others at the forum included the representatives of security agencies, government organizations, private organizations, party supporters and many party candidates.