Some politicians buying PVCs from registered voters, says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says some politicians are buying permanent voter cards (PVCs).

Mohammed Haruna, acting INEC national commissioner overseeing the FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states, said this on Monday during the launch of the #YourVoteMatters project by NESSACTION in Abuja.

According to PUNCH, Haruna said the electoral commission is on the offensive against PVC traders.

“We are aware some politicians are more or less buying the PVCs. If you collect the PVC and then you sell it out or allow someone else to have it, you are aiding illegal possession of the PVC which is an offence in our Electoral Act,” he said.

“Some of you are aware that only recently, INEC managed to convict two people who were found guilty of illegal possession of PVCs in Kano and Sokoto. So, I urge people to collect their PVCs, keep them safely, and make sure that on election day, you go out there and cast your votes because, of course, without your PVC you cannot vote.”

Meanwhile, the collection of PVCs nationwide began on Monday at LGA offices across the country.

The commission said Nigerians can collect their PVCs at the 8,809 registration areas from January 6 to January 15, 2023.

After January 15, 2023, the exercise will revert to the LGA offices of the commission till January 22, 2023.

Valid registered voters can collect their PVCs from 9am to 3pm daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.