The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State on Wednesday said that over 112,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were still uncollected in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Akin Orebiyii, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, gave the figure at a stakeholders’ forum for community leaders, party executives and the electorate in the local government area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was organised by the commission.
Orebiyii said the 112, 000 PVCs in the area were among the 1.8 million still uncollected in the state and appealed to the owners to come forward and pick up their cards.
“In Lagos, as at today, 3, 677,000 cards have been distributed so far, out of 5.5 million cards we have received; we are still expecting another 400, 000 cards.
“We have been given the assurance that by next week, the cards should arrive for distribution.
“This weekend, Friday, the 27th of February as well as Saturday 28th of February, we are going back to the polling units for distribution of the cards.
“Other days, the cards will be available for distribution at our Local Government Offices.
“But again, on Friday March 6 till Sunday March 8, the cards will also be at the polling units for distribution.
“We want to continue to implore our people; even as we speak, we have on our hands over 1.8 million cards yet to be collected.
“In Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA alone, we have at the moment over 112, 000 cards yet to be collected, we want people to find time to come out for them,’’ he said.
Orebiyii restated that there was no discrimination in the distribution of the cards and appealed that the forthcoming general elections should not destroy the harmonious relations among different ethnic groups in the state.
He said that such stakeholders’ forum will be held in all the 20 LGAs of the state.
The commissioner also reiterated that the use of card readers in the elections would eliminate electoral fraud such as multiple voting, while use of fake voter cards would have no place.
Earlier, some residents at the forum alleged that some ad hoc staff of the commission were impatient and needed to be cautioned.
Responding, Mr David Adeleke, INEC Electoral Officer in the area, said that such action was due to the pressure at the centres.
Adeleke, however, said that the commission had cautioned its staff and would continue to monitor them.
