Demand for PVC surges, as INEC says registration deadline remains June 30
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Registration for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in the current Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) cycle remains 30 June, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated – and warned against multiple registrations.
“As the electorate, we should shun multiple registrations. If you have registered once, it’s okay. Don’t register twice.
“If your card is defaced or you have issues with your card, please come to our office to rectify it. There is no need for you to register again. Shun multiple registrations; that’s my advice,” INEC Lagos Head of Voter Education Kemi Oyedotun said.
He spoke at The Muslim Congress (TMC) special monthly adhkar and election sensitisation programme at Dawah Centre, Lagos where he commended the group for educating its members on the electoral system.
Civil society groups are making a massive effort to boost voter registration. Churches and mosques have also joined the push, urging their members to not just register, but collect their PVCs, vote, and ensure their votes count.
Chibuzor Chinyere, the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry (OPM) said the church has released all of its 300 branches across the country for use by the INEC as PVC registration and collection centres.
And INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu tells Nigerians, “I also assure you that your vote will count.”
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With party primaries concluded, demand for PVC surges
Demand for PVC has surged since last week after Nigerians realised that the presidential ballot in February 2023 will be a three-horse race between Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP), and Bola Tinubu (All Progressives Congress, APC).
Many intending voters are making enquiries on how to register, collect or transfer their PVCs. Some have raised concerns about their inability to complete the online pre-registration before it was closed.
Lagos resident Emmanuel Dada said he tried several times to no avail to upload his details before the portal was shut down.
“I think INEC should extend this registration for us because someone like me, I tried to pre-register about three times and it appeared that the network was bad. I couldn’t complete the process,”, he disclosed.
Residents around Greenville Estate in Lagos complained about the attitude of INEC personnel handling the CVR.
“Last week, they came late, stayed for two or three hours and left. Throughout this week, they didn’t come at all,” said a resident who identified himself simply as Habeeb told Vanguard.
Determined individuals are making effort to register for and collect their PVCs as Yakubu’s Chief Press Secretary Rotimi Oyekanmi quashed the rumour that registration had been extended from 30 June to 31 August.
“No. It is not true. The deadline for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is still 30th June. The online pre-registration service closed since 30th May,” Oyekanmi said.
“What the Commission has done to respond to the surge in numbers of those who want to register, is to deploy more INEC Voter Enrollment Devices (IVEDs) to areas where the pressure is highest.
“These areas are all the states in the South-East region, Kano, Lagos and the FCT.”
Everyone’s vote will count, Yakubu pledges
The INEC has deployed more machines to the South East, Kano, and Lagos to register more voters and assured youths that if they get their PVCs and vote, their votes will count.
Yakubu made the pledge at the “Youth Vote Count 2.0” mega concert organised at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos.
“We have heard your requests loud and clear. You will soon hear from us on extension of CVR registration.
“Please, assure me that you will register, pick your PVCs and vote. I also assure you that your vote will count,” Yakubu told the mammoth crowd, per reporting by Vanguard.
The concert – which featured popular stars such as Omawunmi and Waje – is part of the awareness campaign by the INEC to mobilise youths for the CVR.
The campaign is in collaboration with the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) and the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA).
The aim of the partnership is to ensure youths participate fully in the CVR and vote in the 2023 general election and beyond.
