He Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved from September 11 to October 9 the resumption of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in the states of Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo.
The commission made this known in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Information and Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Olumekun said the approval came in continuation of INEC’s preparations for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in the three states to be held on November 11.
He said the exercise was only for registered voters in the three states who were unable to collect their PVCs before the suspension of the exercise on February 5.
“The PVCs will be available for collection at all our local government offices in the three states: eight in Bayelsa, 27 in Imo and 21 in Kogi.
“In addition, the commission has created other designated centers with a large amount of uncollected PVC.
“Resident Election Commissioners (RECs) in all three states will make details of all centers available.
“The commission has reserved business days (Monday to Friday) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for PVC collection for a four-week period, from September 11 to October 9,” he said.
Olumekun added that in the same development, two RECs have been reallocated to other states.
“Edo REC Mr Obo Effanga takes over in Bayelsa in view of upcoming off-cycle gubernatorial elections while Professor Ayobami Salami moves to Lagos from Ekiti.
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“The two states are among those that do not have RECs after the end of the term of the last holders of those positions,” he said.
He urged all political parties and candidates to behave peacefully and avoid statements and actions that may cause a disturbance of peace in their ongoing campaigns.
(YAYA)