Its less than 50 days to the 2023 general election and INEC has moved the distribution of the permanent voter catch to the registration areas urging validly registered voters to take advantage of this wards opportunity particularly for those who are yet to get their voter cards.
While in some parts of the country, collection of PVCs has been seamless while in other parts it has not been.
Discussing PVC collection hiccups and INEC’s preparation ahead the elections on This Morning with Nifemi Oguntoye, Constitutional Lawyer and National president, Voters Awareness Initiative, Wale Ogunade says the process so far has been one of mixed bag as the process has not been smooth.
There are quite a number of reported challenges faced by registered voters who have turned out to collect their PVCs, one of it will be the large crowds at the collection centers.
There are reports about clumsy process and processes that are not quite organised, there are also allegations of extortion, the fact that
some agents are collecting as much as 3 000 naira from voters from registered voters to help them exchange their slips with their PVC.
There are also reported cases of inadequate number of ironic officials to cater to those who come around.
Speaking about reported extortion, Mr Ogunade said he heard the alleged reports as well but does not know how true they are.
Ogunade said that VAI would engage the traditional rulers, democratic institutions, political class, Civil Society Organisations and voters on how to get it right in 2023.
“We have talked for so long in this country, and it is becoming clear now, that talk is cheap.
“It is now time for action. We are all victims of the mismanaged system. We suffer in the midst of plenty.
“We all desire efficacious, working and well-managed system, but we often shy away when it matters most, but questioned when does it matter?
“Could it before the elections, when we ought to register as voters, update our details and status, know our polling units, interrogate various candidates, including conducting background checks, antecedents and pedigree, to get the best from the pack?
“Or during the election proper when we ought to come out and exercise our franchise; conduct ourselves in the most civil manner and ensure that our votes count, as well as eschew violence?
“However, rather than toe the above line, we allowed sentiments and other primordial issues to becloud our sense of reasoning, thus repeating the cycle of carelessly recruiting inept and self-centred leaders,” Ogunade said.
