We lost 1,256 uncollected PVCs to bandits in Imo, says INEC

Invalidates 7,145 registrants over multiple registrations, others
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it lost 1,256 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to bandits during the recent attack at Amakohia (RA 02) in Ihitte Uboma Local Council of Imo State.

The Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Ezeonu, disclosed this, yesterday, while briefing journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Owerri.

He informed that the Voters Identification Numbers (VIN) of the affected cards had been submitted for reprint.

About three weeks ago, bandits stormed the registration centre, killing one INEC official and carting away voting materials. Two workers of the elections management body were missing until found, later, after the hoodlums took their phones away.

The INEC official stressed that the suspension slammed on the exercise in all the 54 registration areas were still in place noting that the exercise was only restricted to the local council headquarters except Njaba, Orsu and Ihitte Uboma.

He said: “We regretfully note that we lost 1,256 PVCs belonging to voters in Amakohia (RA 02) in Ihitte Uboma LG during the attack at Nkwo Ihitte. We have, however, submitted the VINs of the cards for reprint. Previous registered voters from the Registration Area, who have not collected their cards, should, therefore, note that the cards are not available for now and would be informed once the reprinted cards are ready for collection.”

Ezeonu hinted that during the first and second quarters of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the state using Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), a total of 16, 511 voters registered, out of which 7,145 (43.3 %) were invalidated after a clean up was carried out, leaving a balance of 9,366 valid registrants.”

He further noted: “The commission has finished the processing of the registration data for the first and second quarter of the current CVR exercise using Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS). Out of the total number of 16,511 who registered within this period in Imo, 7,145 (43.3 %) were found to be invalid, meaning that they had registered previously. This leaves us with a balance of 9,366 valid registration.”