The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has begun investigations into videos emerging on the internet of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) allegedly buried underground in different locations, including the compound of an influential person.
In a statement on Thursday, spokesman Festus Okoye said the commission was taking the matter seriously.
“We have commenced immediate investigation and anyone found culpable of this diabolical scheme clearly intended to disenfranchise Nigerians will be sanctioned under the law.” Mr. Festus said. “Every eligible Nigerian who is registered as a voter is entitled to his/her PVC. The constitutional right to vote in any election must never be suppressed or abridged in any way.”
The INEC official further added, “As far as the record of the commission is concerned, PVCs have been printed for all valid registrants in Nigeria up to January 14, 2022, and delivered to all the states of the federation for collection by voters. We will not allow retrogressive elements to sabotage our efforts.”
Mr. Okoye assured Nigerians that the matter would be handled properly.
“Already, the commission is reviewing the procedure for collecting PVCs to make it less cumbersome and more transparent,” he said. “This will be a major topic at the next regular quarterly meeting with stakeholders so that, working together, we can find a lasting solution to the issue.”
He concluded by saying INEC has appealed to individuals who found the allegedly buried PVCs to bring them to INEC’s nearest state or local government office. According to him, doing this will be an act of patriotism and a good contribution to the consolidation of Nigeria’s electoral process.
