INEC to Distribute Uncollected Voters Cards Ahead of Off-cycle Elections

By Iyojo Ameh

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to distribute Uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) ahead of the impending off-cycle elections, signaling a concerted effort to bolster voter participation.

Speaking at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja during its second quarterly meeting with the media, the chairman affirmed INEC’s commitment to ensuring seamless electoral processes.

Revealing the Commission’s strategy, the chairman disclosed that INEC would soon publish the list of uncollected PVCs in its offices and on its website.

This proactive measure aims to simplify the process for voters to locate and retrieve their cards.

Stressing the importance of personal collection, the chairman reiterated that PVCs would not be collected by proxy, urging registered voters to retrieve their cards in person.

Moreover, the Commission confirmed the publication of the final list of candidates for the upcoming off-cycle elections in Edo, following the conclusion of party primaries and the withdrawal/substitution period. Campaign activities by political parties in public commenced on April 24th, 2024, and will conclude 24 hours before the election date, as stipulated by law.

Ahead of the Edo elections, media organizations have been urged to apply promptly for accreditation to cover the event. INEC emphasized the need for timely submission of applications and adherence to accreditation criteria for smooth processing.

Addressing pending bye-elections, the Commission announced vacancies in four states, including State Assembly and Federal Constituency seats. Dates for bye-elections in these constituencies will be announced upon finalization of preparations.

Furthermore, the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise is slated to take place concurrently in Edo and Ondo States from May 27th to June 5th, 2024. Eligible citizens not registered as voters will have the opportunity to register, while registered voters can transfer their registration or replace lost/damaged cards. To facilitate the process, registration will be conducted at ward levels and state headquarters, with a total of 397 walk-in registration centers across both states.

Preparations for the CVR exercise include training for at least 794 officials, with detailed information on registration centers and procedures available on INEC’s website and social media platforms.

The chairman emphasized the pivotal role of the media in mobilizing prospective registrants for the CVR exercise, urging early registration to avoid last-minute rushes.

Collaboration with the media was solicited to ensure the success of the registration exercise and subsequent electoral processes, highlighting the fundamental role of voter participation in shaping democracy.