AA presidential candidate threatens to sue INEC over PVC

THE presidential candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Senator Tunde Anifowose-Kelani has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a deadline of February 8 to issue him Permanent Voters Card (PVC) or face legal action for plans to disenfranchise him. 

   The candidate regretted that despite complaining to INEC at different meetings of the non availability of his PVC at his polling unit, the commission has refused to act on his complains, stressing he would not allow INEC to deprive him of his civic rule by deliberately refusing to issue him his card.

   The AA presidential candidate stated at a media briefing that he has visited his unit 19 in ward 8 of Ibadan South West Local Council of Oyo State on three occasions for his PVC, only to be told that his unit has been cancelled and therefore he can not be issued with any, adding that so many of his followers and supporters experience the same thing, hence he has decided to challenge the alleged disenfranchisement by the commission.

   He regretted that over 500 voters from his unit may not vote in the elections if INEC insists that the election must be held since the commission has through its officers at the PVC distribution centre told them that their unit has been cancelled without giving any reason for the cancellation.

   “INEC should know that it has not done enough in the PVC matter; therefore they should shift the date until all eligible voters are given their cards. You cannot disenfranchise me in an election I am participating in as a candidate. This could lead to litigation because our party has decided that if the election holds without their presidential candidate getting his PVC, we will challenge the election in court because this is the first time we are presenting a candidate for the presidency since the party was registered in 2006. If this election is to be held tomorrow, we at Action Alliance are ready but he who wants to go to equity must go with clean hands, how can I participate in an election when I do not have my PVC, I must have my card because it is my right to vote and be voted for. 

   “I have raised this issue before INEC at every meeting we attended as a political party but they have not responded. As far as I do not have my PVC, which is not out my own fault but that of INEC, I do not think the commission is ready for this election.”