PVC: Dickson Embarks On Sensitisation Campaign To Communities

BAYELSA State Governor, Seriake Dickson has urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), as failure to do so would deprive them of their voting right.

   The governor, who declared last Monday as public holiday to facilitate collection of PVCs by eligible voters, embarked on sensitisation campaign in company of former governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and others. 

   The areas visited by the governor and his entourage include; Igbogene, Agudama-Epie, Ekeki, Yenagoa main Town, Ogbogoro and Famgbe communities.

   In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor, who addressed chiefs and people of the areas, emphasised the need for collection of PVCs, which he described as the only instrument that would enable them exercise their franchise in the forthcoming elections.

  He noted that though, Bayelsa remains a predominantly Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state, the only way the people could demonstrate their love and support for President Goodluck Jonathan is to collect their PVCs and vote massively for the President and all candidates of the party.

  According to the governor, the PDP government under Jonathan believes in the rule of law and has provided an enabling environment, where every vote must count, stressing that there would not be any room for rigging and electoral violence.

  He noted that the state government was not satisfied with the 66 per cent rate of PVC’s collection in the state, particularly in Yenagoa Local Government Area, a situation, he said necessitated the sensitisation campaign.  

   Dickson, who thanked the traditional leaders of the communities for mobilising their people for the exercise, urged Bayelsans, who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so, warning that government would conduct what he calls “Operation Show Your PVC” exercise later in the week to enforce compliance.

  In his remarks, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Baritor Kpagih said about 40,000 PVCs are expected to arrive the state, even as he called on those, who have lost their Temporary Voter Cards (TVC), to visit the commission to fill an attestation form that will enable them obtain their PVCs.