PVC COLLECTION: Electorates' Inpatient is Our Major Problem - INEC

Nasir Shuaibu, BAUCHI

The Independent National Electorate Commission (INEC) has said that inpatient among electorates has been the major obstacles confronting the Permanent Voters Cards distribution exercise in the State. 

The Commission equally refuted claims by some individuals over the slow pace of the exercise, saying, "The Commission is fully satisfied with the distribution process as witnessed by the mass turnout of the people at many centers visited during inspections. 

The Bauchi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mohammed B. Nura disclosed this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Bauchi, noting that the Commission has achieved almost 65 percent of the PVCs distribution to electorates across 20 LGA of the State.

Nura pointed out that what is happening is a lack of patience from the electorate because many people are not been patient enough to flow simply line and wait for their time to collect the PVCs. 

He disclosed that the Commission in its wisdom has decided to take the exercise down to the Area Wards Registration Centers just to allow people to have easy access to collecting their PVCs. 

Nura further disclosed that it had also deployed two head officers comprising of issuing and desk officers at each center to ensure the speedy of the whole process in the 20 local government area councils. 

The REC, however, urged the people not be panic as the officials of the Commission are working assiduously from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 24/7 every day to ensure every eligible electorate collects his/her PVC before the expiration period of the remaining 10 days,  adding that the exercise will continue until 22 January before lapsing. 

Nura appealed to electorates to patient with the officials of the INEC and always corporate and support the Commission to achieve its mandate. 

"We've spent up to 10 days at the Registration Area (Ward's) level from 6th January to 15th January 2023. And finally, the collection will move back to the LGAs headquarters from 16 and end on the 22nd of this month to complete the remaining days at the ward level."

It could be recalled that the Bauchi state residents have been complaining about the slow face in the distribution of PVC since the commencement of the exercise in the State. 

However, the INEC has extended one week for the collection of the PVC exercise across the country to ease the compliant of the electotates.

According to the Commission, PVC's collection will continue until 29th January, 2023, while expressing it's satisfaction ST the turn out of the people in collecting their PVCs.