PVC Collection Resumes In Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Sept 11

..Lagos, Bayelsa Get New RECs

By Nathaniel Gana

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced 11th September 2023 as the resumption date for the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.

The exercise will end on 9th October.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Sam Olumekun mni, made the disclosure in a press statement issued on Tuesday.

The Commission had, last year, fixed Saturday 11th November 2023 for the off-season Governorship elections in the three States.

The IVEC Chairman said, “In continuation of our preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, lmo, and Kogi States, the Commission has approved the resumption of collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for registered voters who could not collect their PVCs before the suspension of the exercise on 5th February 2023 ahead of the last General Election.

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“The current exercise only covers the three States where Governorship elections will hold on Saturday 11th November 2023. The PVCs will be available for collection at all our Local Government area offices in the three States: eight in Bayelsa, 27 in Imo, and 21 in Kogi.”

He added: “The Commission has created other designated centres with large number of uncollected PVCs. Details of all centres will be made available by the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the three States. The Commission has earmarked weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm for the collection of PVCs for a period of four weeks from 11th September – 9th October 2023.”

Olumekun also announced the redeployment of two RECs.

According to him. the REC for Edo State, Mr. Obo Effanga, will now oversee Bayelsa State in view of the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship election, while Professor Ayobami Salami will move to Lagos from Ekiti State. The two States are among those without RECs following the end of tenure of the last holders of the offices.

He implored parties and their candidates to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid acts capable of causing a breach of peace in their ongoing campaigns.