The Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC on Friday commence the distribution of permanent voter cards in ten states.
A statement by Kayode Idowu,chief press secretary to INEC Chairman said “As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commences the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on Friday, 23rd May, 2014, the Commission hereby calls on every registered voter in the 10 states under Phase One to visit the polling unit where they previously registered in order to ascertain their registration status.
“The distribution of PVCs will last till Sunday, 25th May, 2014, in the following states: Taraba, Gombe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa.
Idowu said “Persons whose data have been appropriately captured will be handed their PVCs at the polling units in accordance with set procedures. Those with defective data, for whom PVCs have not been produced, will have the opportunity to re-register during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) that holds from Wednesday, 28th May, 2014, to Sunday, 1st June, 2014.
He explained that “there will be a display of the valid Register of Voters at the polling units where the PVCs will be distributed. It is, thus, important for every voter to visit his/her polling unit from Friday, 23rd May to Sunday, 25th May, 2014, to ascertain his/her registration status; contrary to suggestions that persons in so-called ‘zero polling units’ need not show up.”
“The CVR is for the following categories of people:Persons who turned 18 years after the last registration; Persons who were 18 years at the time but did not present themselves for registration; and Persons whose data were not adequately captured previously and for whom PVCs have not been produced.
“For avoidance of doubt, the exercise is not for everyone, including people wishing to transfer their registration data from where they previously registered.
INEC particularly urges persons in category (iii) above(that is Persons whose data were not adequately captured previously and for whom PVCs have not been produced) to be calm and re-present themselves for registration during the CVR, to have their status regularised.
