The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victor Aluko, has restated that no one will be allowed to vote in today’s Presidential and National Assembly elections without their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Aluko, who was speaking on Channels Television’s The 2023 Verdict on Friday evening, said the commission had not reviewed its position, describing it as fake news, reports that people could approach the polling units without their voter cards.
“INEC has not reviewed that slogan. “No PVC, No Voting”. It still exists. And we have been telling Nigerians that they should ignore the social media posts that are circulating everywhere. Today, when responding, our chairman simply stated that it is fake news. Of course, there is a lot of fake news out there these days.
“At election periods like these, we should let Nigerians have the facts, the basic facts, to help their participation. You cannot even come to our polling units if you do not have the PVC. Election officials will not let you join the line. If you try to force your way into the building, the Presiding Officer will notify the security agencies to deal with the person.
“So, it is good that we deal with the facts, it is good that we follow what INEC has said, rather than what some fake INEC officials are saying. No PVC, no voting. PVC is at the centre of our operations.”
Aluko also stated that the commission expected only the 87.2 million voters who had their PVCs to vote and that those who were unable to obtain the cards would have to wait until the next election cycle.
“Out of 93.4 million registered voters in Nigeria, 87.2 million have PVCs. These are the voters we anticipate in our polling units. It is not a crime for anyone who wasn’t able to collect the PVC. They can still collect their PVCs and vote in the future; life goes on, and there will be life after these elections.
“During the CVR, we encouraged those who lost their cards, even those whose cards were spoilt, just tell us in INEC, and we will give you another one free of charge. Those who did so got new cards. Anyone who did not do so did so because they did not want to, and they can still do so in the future.
“It would be great if we could get 80% of the 87.2 million Nigerians who have PVCs to vote tomorrow. We are prepared to receive them at our polling units. So we’re preparing for those who have PVCs and aren’t too concerned about those who don’t. So, if you don’t have PVC, don’t even come to the polling unit,” he said.
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