The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Edo state would commence from Thursday 22nd August 2024 to Monday 26th August 2024 from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily including the weekend.
According to the commission, the centres for the distribution would be in the 192 wards in Edo state where the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) took place.
INEC said the collection of the PVCs would continue in 18 Local government offices of the commission across the state from Wednesday 28th August 2024 to Sunday 8th September 2024 from 9.00am to 5.00pm, including the weekends.
INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu who stated on Monday this at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, stressed that the PVCs must be collected in person and not by proxy.
The INEC boss explained that the Commission had developed a register containing, among other information, the names and photographs of the 184,438 voters to ease the collection of their PVCs in Edo state.
“I am glad to report that all the cards have been printed and delivered to our office in Benin City. From there, they have been handed over to our Electoral Officers (EOs) for collection by voters.
“To ensure a seamless process, the cards will be available for collection in all the 192 Wards in the State where the last CVR took place from Thursday 22nd August 2024 to Monday 26th August 2024 from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily including the weekend.
“Thereafter, the collection will continue in our 18 Local Government offices across the State from Wednesday 28th August 2024 to Sunday 8th September 2024 from 9.00am to 5.00pm, including the weekends.
“Detailed information on the dates and location of the 210 centres (192 Wards and 18 LGA offices) has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.
“Furthermore, the Commission has developed a register containing, among other information, the names and photographs of the 184,438 voters to ease the collection of their PVCs. The register has also been uploaded to our website (https://inecnigeria.org/?page_id=13804) to facilitate easy identification and collection of the cards.
“It is important to emphasise that the Commission’s policy that PVCs must be personally collected by registered voters has not changed. The cards will not be distributed or collected by proxy so that they do not end up in the wrong hands.
“We urge voters who took their time to register during the CVR to also take time to collect their PVCs in person and, most importantly, to come out on Election Day and vote for the party of their choice.
“Still as part of our preparations for the Edo state governorship election, the softcopy of the final and comprehensive register of voters will be presented to each political party fielding candidates in the election tomorrow Tuesday 20th August 2024 in our State office in Benin City. This is in fulfillment of item 10 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election”.
On the preparation for the Ondo state governorship election, the INEC Chairman said, “The Commission is working on the schedule for the collection of PVCs in Ondo state.
“I want to assure the electorate in Ondo state that action is being taken in respect of the availability of their PVCs for the governorship election holding in November this year. Very soon, the commission will make available detailed arrangement for the collection of PVCs for all categories of voters from the recent CVR in the state”.
While reiterating the call for media organisations interested to cover the Edo governorship polls to avail themselves of the opportunity before the closure of the portal at 6.00pm on Thursday 5th September 2024, he noted that as at Monday morning, 63 organisations have uploaded the details of 584 personnel for accreditation for the election.
“Let me also seize this opportunity to remind media organisations seeking to cover the Edo state governorship election that the accreditation portal (https://imap.inecnigeria.org) closes at 6.00pm on Thursday 5th September 2024. As at this morning, 63 organisations have uploaded the details of 584 personnel for accreditation for the election.
“We urge all interested organisations that are yet to apply to note the deadline and act accordingly. Already, the Commission has published the final list of candidates, accredited observers as well as polling and collation agents.
“At the end of the deadline for media accreditation, the list of organisations and accredited personnel will also be published for public information.”