National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has decried the low collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by residents of Rivers State.

The commission also stated that it was working hard in its preparations for the 2023 general election, adding that it desires that no citizen be disenfranchised and that every vote counts.

Supervising National Commissioner of INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, spoke at the INEC head office in Port Harcourt, on Monday, according to a statement by the Public Affairs Officer of the Commission in the state, Geraldine Ekelemu, yesterday.

She said: “From our records, 278, 417 new voters were registered, as well as 127, 670 voter transfers and 43, 080 PVC replacements as of July 24. With regards to the distribution of new PVCs, 54, 945 have been received but only 10, 373 have so far been collected, leaving an outstanding balance of 44, 572.

“For transfers and replacements, of 16, 949 received, only 1, 790 have so far been collected. From the old PVCs, we have on record 302, 297 cards but only 33, 575 collected.

“I must be emphatic here and put on record that the collection of the PVCs has been abysmally low. With seven months to go to the 2023 general election, we urge the people of Rivers State to collect their PVCs in good time and not to wait until the last minute.”

She commended the state office for conducting voter education, adding that the figures from the Continuous Voter’s Registration were proof.

She said: “I must applaud the figures that emanated from Rivers State during the CVR exercise as they showed that Rivers State office conducted voter education and widely sensitised the electorate throughout the year-long period of the exercise.

“It also goes further to show that the people of Rivers State are fully prepared and are looking forward to exercising their franchise at the forthcoming elections.”