INEC advises Nigerians against misplacing, selling PVCs
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
Nigerians have been advised to ensure that their Permanent Voter Cards are jealously guarded against selling, damaging or anything that will temper with them.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which gave the advice on Sunday, reminded Nigerians that their Permanent Voters’ Cards were their voters meal tickets and should be handled with care.
The National Commissioner of the commission in charge of Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states, Maj:-Gen Modibo Alkali (Rtd) who was addressing voters registrants in the state however, urged Nigerians to treat their PVCs as if they were part of their lives.
“Ensure that you get your PVC and handle it as if it is part of your life. Don’t sell it to anybody because it is like your voter’s meal ticket. You know why it is called a meal ticket? It is because you elect the person who can work for you in your future with it”, Alkali explained.
“So, if you sell it or you throw it away, then you are selling or throwing away food that you are supposed to eat. So, I want all of you to understand the importance of that PVC,” he said.
The National Commissioner who said the commission has been educating electorates to come out and register for their PVC, wondered why there were still more people on the queue for registration in Bauchi state.
He said there is a timeline for INEC for the forthcoming 2023 general election, adding that the registration exercise was not just going over the counter to buy something and put in the pocket.
“No, there are some processes. If you register, they have to go and print, display it for political parties and local government areas. Also, there could be litigations along the line. So you have to allow INEC to do its job. If you don’t register on time, then you will delay the work of INEC,” the National Commissioner stated.
He also warned the electorate against double or multiple registration, saying that whoever is caught in the act would be arrested and prosecuted.
Our correspondent gathered that the National Commissioner was in Bauchi state to monitor the end of the continuous voter registration.
Some of the registration units he visited in Bauchi state includes; INEC headquarters, Bauchi, Kofaran, Ilelah street, INEC office in Dass Local Government Area as well as Karfin Madaki in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.
