…The Commission has fixed Monday 12th December 2022 to Sunday 22nd January 2023 as dates for the collection of PVCs
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today Wednesday 7th December 2022 held a stakholders meeting at the headquarters in Awka, the Anambra state capital.
In a opening remarks by the Anambra state Resident Electoral Commission (REC) Dr. (Mrs) Queen Elizabeth Agwu, at the stakeholders meeting geared towards the conduct of the 2023 general elections called on all to join hands in making the process a success.
“This meeting is organized to solicit stakholders cooperation in voter mobilization and sensitization for the conduct of the 2023 general election. INEC is at the peak of activities and preparations for conduct of free, fair and credible elections. In the light of this task, citical stakholders forum is a ladder through which INEC will always deliver on the democratic process. We, therefore, sincerely appreciate your participation in today’s meeting, and encourage you to continue collaborating with INEC to achieve our desired goal.
“The general election is less than 90 days from today, Following the statutory period for the display of the register of voters for claims and objections, the commission has published timetable for collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC)
“INEC appreciate the patience and understanding of ndi-Anambra, especially those who registered as voters or applied for transfer/replacement of their cards from January to July 2022. In making the card available for collection, the commission is also working to ensure that the process is hitch-free. The Commission has fixed Monday 12th December 2022 to Sunday 22nd January 2023 as dates for the collection of PVCs. It also resolved to devolve PVC collection to ward/registration areas from Friday 6th to Saturday 15th January 2023; when the exercise will revert to our LG offices’.
“INEC in a meeting on Saturday, 26th November 2022, deleberated on the prosecution of persons arrested for illegal possession of PVC’s. It is the wish of the commission to continue to pursue all violator of the electoral act to ensure their prosecution. INEC has started the dispatch of non-sensitive materials to states. A proactive arrangement is already in place for hitch-free distribution and deployment of election officials and materials to our various LGA offices.
“INEC at all levels is aware of the security situation in the country. We will continue to meet with heads of security agencies under the auspices of the inter-agency consultative committee on Election Security (ICCES). We call on community leaders and traditional institutions including the Town Union PGs to assist security agents in their to ensure the protection of lives and property. This effort will instill public confidence for voters turnout in this state.
“INEC is at the top of voter education and sensitization campaign. The campaign and sensitization for PVC collection by PVC ambassadors and other civil society groups is expected to take over public spaces. We further call on the media to take-up aggressive reportage and dissemination of information about no PVC, no vote
Traditional ruler of Enugu Ukwu-Nri, His Royal Highness Ralph Akpe commended INEC for such meeting. He assured the commission that his community will secure both officers and materials who will be deployed in his community. He called on ndi-anambra who are yet to collect there PVC to do sos to enable them exercise their franchise.
Commissioner for transport Anambra state, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike, Chairman Nigeria Union Of Journalist (NUJ) Anambra council, Comrade Odogwe Emeka Odogwu PhD.
MD National Orientation Agencies (NOA), President-General of Town Unions (ASATU) Resident Anti-corruption commission, ICPC Anambra state and other stakholders in there separate speeches commended INEC for the meeting.
They called on traditional rulers, President Generals, cancellor’s to work together in ensuring that the coming general election goes well in there various communities. They emphasized on the need to vote correctly and also appealed to political party to educate their suppoters to vote currently.
Unclaimed PVC accounding to the 21 electoral officers are as follows; Njikoka LGA 7009. Aguata 12675. Idemili North 16256. Ogbaru 10,755. Anambra East 7,719. Nnewi south 184. Anambra west 1387. Awka North 1543. Oyi 7282. Onitsha North 9,990. Ihiala 4,058. Nnewi North 8,700. Ewkusigo 3350. Awka South 4,971. Ayamelum 1,960. Dunukofia 6,222. Onitsha South 12, 274. Idemili South 4,539. Aniocha 885 and Onitsha South 6,566.
