CVR: 160,000 PVCs Yet To Be Collected In Anambra – INEC
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Loading ...By Nedum Noble
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State on Monday disclosed that no fewer than 160,000 permanent voters cards were yet to be collected by their owners.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji made the disclosure in Awka, during a meeting with leaders of political parties and other stakeholders in the state.
He said the commission was collating data of the owners which it intended to use to contact them, as a way of remedying the situation.
He also appealled to traditional and religious leaders as well as President Generals of various area councils in the state to assist the commission to identify the owners of the uncollected PVCs, those who are dead as well as those who have relocated.
“We also intend sending a bulk SMS to them through their phone numbers persuading them to come pick up their voter cards,” he added.
On the ongoing assessment of registered political parties in the state, Orji explained that the exercise was not targeted at deregistering any political party.
Orji who was apparently reacting to a publication in a national daily, that political parties without established offices, leadership and reasonable presence may not be allowed to contest the 2019 general elections, said the commission had no power to deregister any duly registered party as that was not part of the mandate of the commision.
He maintained that the exercise was primarily for administrative purposes which included verification of the authenticity of the existence of the various political parties in the state.
According to the INEC boss, the electoral umpire had already commenced stock taking of all equipment and other infrastructure including the smart card readers, vehicles, among others in preparation for the next year’s general elections,
“We are riding on the back of the last governorship election in the state in activating the process. The equipment tested so far indicated that most of them are in good condition,” he assured.
Describing voter apathy as a major challenge of the electoral process in the state, Orji attributed it to the irregularities in the previous elections, expressing joy that the confidence of the electorate on the process was gradually being restored through deliberate corrections by the commission.
He solicited the support of political parties and other stakeholders towards mobilising eligible residents to participate actively, not only in the ongoing voter registration exercise, but during the voting proper.
Reacting, the Chairman People Democratic Party PDP, in the State
Ndubuisi Nwobu, said the commission had drawn the attention of the party towards working together with concerned stakeholders in the state, pledging to partner with the electoral umpire ahead of successful 2019 general elections.
