We Didn’t Sell PVCs In Edo- INEC Denies
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rubbished speculations of its officials being involved in the sale of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Edo State ahead of the forthcoming Governorship Elections.
The elections in Edo is set to take place on September 21st this year.
However, the Commission has been hit with a petition by a civic group called, Transparency for Electoral Systems Advocacy (TESA)
The petition dated 23 August 2024 incriminates INEC in the sale of uncollected PVCs to politicians in the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, while reacting to the accusation, on Monday, referred to “them as lacking merit”untrue.”
He dared the group to come forward with strong evidence to back their claims.
“The allegation by Transparency for Electoral Systems Advocacy (TESA) accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of selling uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to politicians in Edo State is untrue.
“The Commission does not sell, but issues PVCs free of charge to only registered voters,” Oyekanmi insisted.
Oyekanmi pointed out that the probability of using another’s PVC to vote had been near eliminated via the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He warned that anyone who attempts such will be arrested and prosecuted on Election Day.
“It is a well-known fact, and we want to assure TESA that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), it has become practically impossible for any voter to use another person’s PVC to vote.
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“To that extent, any uncollected PVC cannot be used by anyone to vote during the Edo State Governorship Election. Politicians know this.
“Any person who attempts to do so will be arrested and handed over to law enforcement agents on Election Day. It is also an electoral offence for an individual to have another voter’s PVC,” he went on.
He disclosed that, while th PVC collection process began on Thursday, it is still ongoing and will run through till September 8, 2024.
On TESA’s allegations, he waived it aside and passed a vote of confidencee on INEC’s officials.
“However, we encourage TESA and other individuals with concrete evidence of unethical acts against any of our Electoral Officers to promptly avail the Commission of the evidence for immediate action,” he ended.
