We observed illegal procurement of PVCs in 15 states, says YIAGA AFRICA

YIAGA AFRICA, a policy advocacy group, says some voters in the country are selling their permanent voter cards (PVC) as high as N20,000.

The group made this known in its latest report on observations for the 2019 elections.

In a statement signed by Samson Itodo, executive director of YIAGA AFRICA, the group said it deployed long term observers (LTOs) on its Watching the Vote (WTV) project across all the local governments in the area to collate the report.

The group said it observed the illegal procurement of PVCs in 15 states, which portends great danger for the credibility of the 2019 elections if not addressed.

The report also showed that there were early warning signs of violence in some states ahead of the election.

“WTV LTOs reported incidence of illegal procurement of PVCs from voters in 15 states namely; Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Edo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Imo, Rivers, Oyo and Yobe states,” the statement read.

“WTV observers directly witnessed the buying of PVCs in 1% of LGAs and in 16% of LGAs, the observers heard of this illegal act. The report indicates the PVC are bought for as high as N10, 000 and N20,000 in some states. This portends great danger for the credibility of the 2019 elections if unaddressed.

“The early warning signs of violence have remained apparent as the political temperature in some states rise. WTV observers witnessed incidence of vandalism and destruction of properties belonging to candidates or political parties. The North west region has the highest record of pre-election violence.”