Tinubu’s apology, instead of clarifying that PVC hasn’t expired, added another falsehood, that the PVCs issued in 2011 need revalidation.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged Nigerians to disregard the ‘misleading’ comment that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) issued in 2011 needed revalidation.
Tinubu had earlier claimed that PVCs have expired, a reason for the low numbers during elections. He asked his audience to spread the news by encouraging voters to register again, a criminal act by INEC’s rules.
Tinubu had said: : “Take one family member, take two family members, knock on all doors and make sure that new registration. Because they may not announce to you on time, the PVC you have has expired,”
Following the outrage that followed his false claim, Tinubu later apologised, claiming he meant the cards needed revalidation.
But INEC said even Tinubu’s apology contained another false information.
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“There is no need to revalidate any PVC issued by INEC for election purposes,” the commission said in a statement by Rotimi Oyekanmi, the chief press secretary to INEC chairman, on Friday in Abuja.
The statement clarified that PVCs issued by INEC in 2011 and after could still be used by their respective owners to vote in all elections, including the 2023 general election.
“To be sure, PVCs issued in 2011 and after do not need any revalidation. It is also not true that the Commission will use the so-called “New Card Reader” for the 2023 General Election.
“What the Commission intends to use is a multi-purpose gadget, known as the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED).
“The general public should therefore disregard the fake news making the rounds that the PVCs issued in 2011 need revalidation.”
Tinubu’s supporters determined to prove that he was right, circulated a report on social media now trending online titled “Important Information.” It called on registered voters to check the back of their Voters Card, saying “if it was registered in 2011, you need to revalidate it at the INEC office.”
The misleading report also stated that the new INEC Card reader for the 2023 election would not be able to read the card, telling people to do it now to avoid disenfranchisement.