#KogiGovRace: 308,149 Voters Yet To Collect PVC – INEC

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Less than two months to the governorship election in Kogi State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the unwillingness of voters in the state to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC).
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INEC said a total of 308,149 voters in the state were yet to collect their PVCs.

Speaking during a dialogue session held with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room ‎in Abuja yesterday, Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hussaini Halilu Pai, who made this disclosure, said the commission have been able to distribute a total of 1,009, 523 ‎PVCs.

According to Pai, “between September 2 and 7, Continuous Voters’ Registration (CRV) exercise was conducted in the state for those that have attained the age of 18 years on or before the registration day, and those that attained 18 years or above and had not registered before.”

He added: “The CRV exercise was successful throughout the 21 Local Government Areas and 34 additional difficult terrain registration centres in Kogi State with a registration of 47,389.

“During and after the CRV exercise, the Preliminary Register of Voters (PRV) was displayed for public scrutiny at every registration centre currently with CVR exercise.

“In preparation for the governorship election, the Commission approved a PVC audit in the state to find out the status of PVCs produced and distributed, and if there are any pending/unresolved issues.

He continued: “The audit showed that of the 1,317,672 PVCs received in the state, a total number of 515,914 male and 493,609 female PVCs representing 76.6 per cent have been distributed with a balance of 308,149, representing 23.4 per cent not collected as at the time the audit was conducted.

“PVC distribution is ongoing at the LGA offices throughout the state. Compared with the 2011 and 2015 general elections, for instance, our systems are definitely more robust now.

“Among others, we have greatly improved register of voters. Only PVCs would be used and Smart Card Readers for accreditation to reduce the likelihood of electoral fraud.”