The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by eight days.
The Independent National Electoral Commission says it is encouraged by the turnout of registered voters and the surge in the number of collected PVCs across the country.
PVC collection will now continue through Sunday 29th January 2023, rather than Sunday 22nd January 2023, according to INEC.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the commission on Thursday.
INEC says in some of the States, as many as 100,000 PVCs were collected in the last five days since the devolution to Ward level started on Saturday 6th January.
As a result of this extension, there is a consequential adjustment of the collection by location as follows:
Collection at Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one a week from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd January 2023.
A press statement signed by the national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee Festus Okoye says as a result of this extension, there is a consequential adjustment of the collection by location.
INEC says the collection at Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one a week from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd January 2023.
And the Collection at Local Government level will resume on Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th January 2023.
Meanwhile, the Commission is investigating allegations of extortion by officials at some of the collection centres and inducement by some unscrupulous voters to circumvent processes in order to obtain their PVCs. Those found culpable will be face disciplinary action and/or prosecution.
Similarly, the Commission is disturbed by allegations of discriminatory issuance of PVCs in some locations. This is against the law.
INEC insists All bonafide registrants are entitled to their PVCs and to use them to vote on Election Day in any part of the country where they are registered.
It says all Resident Electoral Commissioners have been directed to ensure that no such practices occur nationwide and take immediate disciplinary action against violators.
The Commission has printed more than 13 million PVCs for all new valid registrants as well as applicants for transfer or replacement of cards.
INEC Commissioner Festus Okoye stated that INEC is investigating allegations of extortion and discriminatory issuance of PVCs by its officials and those found culpable will face disciplinary action or prosecution.
