Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asserted that there is no way its officials can be involved in moving permanent voter cards (PVCs) to unwarranted places.
It clarfied that the way its processes, accountability and audit protocols are structured, it will be difficult for any of its staff to hide or transport PVCs in favour of any politician.
INEC made this clarification while reacting to video clips that are currently circulating on the social media showing the discovery of thousands of PVCs hidden underground locations, or dumbed in dustbins and along the streets in several parts of the country.
The nation’s electoral management body declared that anyone with such disused PVCs is just wasting his time.
Speaking to newsmen yesterday, the chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, that it was unfathomable for any INEC member of staff to dump PVCs in that manner.
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‘What purpose will such an action serve?’ he asked.
Oyekanmi explained that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is in charge of all PVCs printed for voters in each state while electoral officers are responsible and accountable for PVCs sent to local government offices, adding that PVCs cannot be collected by proxy.
On the trending videos, he said, ‘I have come across a number of unverified video clips circulating on the social media showing some cut-to-size plastic materials which are being described as Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
‘But these videos do not provide sufficient evidence to ascertain that the plastics found are indeed PVCs issued by INEC. Our PVCs have unique features, and the details on them can be verified on our national register of voters which is online.
“It is unthinkable that any INEC staff would dump PVCs somewhere in that manner. What purpose will such an action serve? Our processes, accountability, and audit protocols will not even allow it.’
He said when the commission has a genuine case, it quickly takes action.
For instance, he said when the commission received reports of some PVCs being dug up in the course of a road construction in Rivers State recently, it took it up, adding that the commission was working with the police to unravel the mystery.
He further said people should not forget that some of its offices in the South East region had been variously attacked by criminals in the last two years during which, in some cases, PVCs were destroyed.