Anambra State: INEC holds Stakeholders’ Meeting; laments unclaimed PVCs

Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka.

Last updated Dec 8, 2022

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, lamented 132,626 unclaimed Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) at a stakeholders’ meeting organized at its state headquarters in Awka, the Anambra state capital.

The Anambra State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, at the stakeholders’ meeting called on all to join hands in making the process a success.

“This meeting is organized to solicit stakeholders’ co-operation in voter mobilization and sensitization for the conduct of the 2023 general election.

“The INEC is at the peak of activities and preparations for conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

“In the light of this task, a critical stakeholders’ forum is a ladder through which the 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 the INEC to achieve our desired goal,” she said.

Unclaimed Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs)

The Anambra State’s Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, said that, according to 21 electoral officers, there are cases of unclaimed PVCs in the following Local Government Areas (LGA) in Anambra state:

Njikoka LGA – 7, 009; Aguata LGA -12, 675; Idemili North LGA – 16, 256; Ogbaru LGA -10,755; Anambra East LGA – 7,717; Nnewi South LGA – 1, 841; Anambra West LGA -1,387; Awka North -1,543; Oyi LGA -7, 982; Onitsha North LGA -9,990; and Ihiala LGA – 4,058.

Others are: Orumba North LGA- 2, 393; Orumba South LGA – 6,656; Nnewi North LGA – 8,700; Nnewi South LGA – 1,841; Ekwusigo LGA -3,350; Awka South LGA – 4,971; Ayamelum LGA -1,960; Dunukofia LGA – 6, 222; Onitsha South LGA – 12, 274; Idemili South LGA – 4,539; Aniocha LGA -885; and Onitsha South LGA – 12,274.

“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 (PVCs).

“INEC appreciates the patience and understanding of Anambrarians, especially those who registered as voters or applied for transfer or 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 hitch-free.

“The Commission has fixed Monday, December 12, 2022 to Sunday, January 22, 2023 as dates for the collection of PVCs.

“It also resolved to devolve PVCs collection to ward/registration areas from Friday 6th to Saturday, 15th January 2023 when the exercise will revert to our Local Government (LG) offices.

“INEC in a meeting on Saturday, November 26, 2022 deliberated on the prosecution of persons arrested for illegal possession of PVCs.

“It is the wish of the commission to continue to pursue all violators of the Electoral Act to ensure their prosecution.

“The 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 PVCs collection by PVCs 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’,” said the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner.

Speaking at the occasion, the traditional ruler of Enugu Ukwu-Nri, His Royal Highness Ralph Akpe, commended the INEC for such a meeting.

He assured the commission that his community would secure both the materials and officers who will be deployed to his community.

He called on Anambra people who were yet to collect their PVCs to do so to enable them exercise their franchise.

The Commissioner for Transport in Anambra state, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike; Chairman, Nigerian Union Of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra council, Comrade Odogwe Emeka Odogwu; MD, National Orientation Agency (NOA); President-General of Town Unions (ASATU); Resident Commissioner; Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Anambra state; and other stakeholders, in their separate speeches, commended the INEC for the meeting.

They called on traditional rulers, President Generals, and Councillors to work together in ensuring that the coming general election goes well in their various communities.

They emphasized the need to vote correctly and also appealed to political parties to educate their supporters to vote wisely.