Lagosians spearheading change have just 4 more weeks to redeem PVCs
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Lagosians, the citadel of the most mixed Nigerians, are yet to collect 953,803 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) despite being the loudest campaigners for change through the ballot box in 2023 expected to silence geriatrics for youthful ascendancy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 6,630,661 registered voters in Lagos have collected 5,676,858 PVCs between 2011 and 2021 – and have between 12 December 2022 and 15 January 2023 to collect the remaining 953,803.
Lagos INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Olusegun Agbaje made the disclosure at a meeting on the collection of PVCs with leaders of political parties, civil society organisations, and religious leaders in Ikeja.
Agbaje commended stakeholders for their collaboration to build a democratic culture and stressed INEC is doing everything possible to deliver a credible and acceptable election everyone would be proud of in 2023, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
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PVC collection begins December 2
“It is pertinent to note that as of 2 December, 953,803 PVCs were yet to be collected by their owners,” Agbaje said, per The PUNCH.
“These uncollected cards and the expected PVCs for fresh registrants, transfer or review from January to July will be available for collection in all INEC offices across the state from Monday, December 12.
“It is instructive to note that collection of PVC by proxy will not be allowed and the collection of PVC is free.
“Owners of transferred, defaced or other incident PVCs should bring along with them the old PVCs for exchange with new ones.”
INEC has fixed the collection of PVCs from 12 December 2022 to 22 January 2023 at council offices, and from 6 January 2023 to 15 January 2023 at ward level.
Agbaje said the deadline is to aid preparation in line with Sections 24 (2&3), 47 (3) and 51 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022, in case the margin of lead between the two leading candidates is not more than the total number of voters who collected their PVCs in polling units where elections are postponed, voided, or not held.
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