2023 poll: Electoral commission gives date for collection of permanent voter cards

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that Nigerians can now obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) between 12 December and 22 January 2023, ahead of the forthcoming general elections

Penpushing reports that, the commission made this known in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, adding that this followed a deliberation with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECS) from the 36 States of the country, Federal Capital Territory(FCT) inclusive.

The Chairman Information and Voter Education explained that authorities discussed several issues including the Permanent Voter Cards(PVC) on Thursday ,and  also resolved to devolve  the Permanent Voter Cards(PVC) collection to the 8,809 Registration Areas/Wards from 6 January to 15 January 2023.

“After the 15th of January 2023, the exercise will revert to the Local Government Offices of the Commission until the 22nd of January 2023. Those that are unable to collect their PVCs at the Local Government Offices of the Commission can do so at the Registration Areas/Electoral Wards,” he said.

Penpushing further reports that, Okoye explained that individuals can collect their Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs)  between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. every day, including Saturdays and Sundays, adding that commission leadership finalized the procedure

“It will be recalled that the Commission held a retreat in Lagos with all the Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECS) from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory from 28th November to 2nd December 2022. At the retreat, the Commission finalised the procedure as well as the timetable for collection of PVCs.),” he said.

“Consequently, the Commission has fixed Monday 12 December 2022 to Sunday 22 January 2023 as the dates for the collection of PVCs in all the 774 Local Government Offices of the Commission throughout the Federation.”

Penpushing also reports that, he stated that the Resident Electoral Commissioners and Electoral Officers (EOs) have been directed to convene a meeting with critical stakeholders in their States and Local Government Areas.

The statement added that the meeting is  to brief them on the modalities for the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs) to sensitise the public and ensure seamless exercise., stating that the  stakeholders, according  include traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, community-based organisations and the media.

“Similarly, RECs and EOs have also been directed to set up help desks to assist registrants with complaints about their PVCs or with the PVC collection procedure for immediate redress’, the statement said.

“The Commission appreciates the patience and understanding of Nigerians, especially those who registered as voters or applied for transfer/replacement of their cards from January to July 2022. In making the cards available for collection, the Commission is also working to ensure that the process is simple and hitch-free for Nigerians”, he stated

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