96-Year-Old Woman Denied Vote in Anambra Over Missing PVC

A 96-year-old resident of Umudim Akasi village in Agulu, Anaocha LGA, Anambra State, caused a stir at Polling Unit 019 on Saturday after INEC officials refused to allow her to vote for not presenting her Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

Mrs. Elizabeth Onike arrived early and joined other voters awaiting accreditation, but her attempt to cast her ballot was halted at the verification desk. She pleaded with officials, explaining that she had voted at the same polling unit for years and could not understand why she was being denied this time.

The nonagenarian showed hospital cards and other identification to journalists and sympathisers while frantically searching her bag for the missing PVC.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi Casts Vote in Anambra Guber Poll

“I have been voting here for years. This is where I vote. I don’t know where I kept the card,” she said tearfully, drawing attention from neighbours who gathered to console her.

Community members expressed sympathy, urging INEC to consider alternative means of verifying elderly voters, noting that many older citizens often misplace their PVCs due to age-related challenges.

INEC officials, however, maintained that the electoral directive was clear: no PVC, no voting. They explained that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) requires the physical card to authenticate voters.