Zamfara top, Ogun least in PVC collection
The collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) formally came to an end on Sunday with Zamfara State recording the highest and Ogun State the lowest.
A total of 56, 431, 255 or 81.89 per cent of total PVCs produced were distributed.
However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Kayode Idowu, who released the latest figure on the distribution the PVCs on Sunday, ruled out further extension of the exercise. The table released showed that Zamfara State has 1, 435, 452 or 95.97 per cent of 1, 495, 717 registered voters, while out of Ogun’s 1,829,534, registered voters, those who got theirs were 1,125,657, meaning 61.53 percent. It was followed by Edo State with 1, 230, 566 or 68. 81 per cent out of 1, 779, 738 registered voters.
Zamfara State was followed by Bauchi State with a total 1,907,081 or 95.76 per cent of 2, 054, 125 registered voters. Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Mr. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has called for the extension of the collection of the cards in his state.
He also canvassed the use of Temporary Voters Card (TVC) by those that were unable to collect their own PVC in the state so as not to disenfranchise thousands that had not collected theirs.
The PDP governorship hopeful said in a press statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Sunday, noting that the call became imperative so that the elections may be free from litigation from those unable to vote due to their inability to collect their PVCs.
His words: “I had cause to mention the above subject matter at a press conference I addressed last week during which I raised the issue of the inadequate or deliberate exclusion of eligible voters that had turned in their Temporary Voters Cards (TVCs) hoping to collect the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs). Unfortunately, nothing appreciable has been done to substantially ameliorate the situation”.
“I have been inundated with several calls and complaints from a lot of our people in various local governments across the state, especially in Yewa North, Ijebu East, Imeko-Afon, Ipokia, Abeokuta North and Obafemi Owode have yet to receive their PVCs with just a week to the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
