The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed regret that politicians are already buying Permanent Voter Cards, or PVCs, to rig and damage the integrity of the process ahead of the upcoming general elections in 2023.
This information is being released as voters from all 774 local government units in the nation head outside to pick up their PVCs. This procedure started on December 12 and is anticipated to be completed by January 27, 2023.
During the Monday launch of the #YourVoteMatters project by an election observer group, NESSACTION, in Abuja, Mohammed Haruna, the Acting Chairman of INEC and National Commissioner in charge of the FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Plateau states, voiced this alarm.
Haruna revealed that recently, the Commission convicted two persons in Sokoto and Kano states for illegally possessing PVCs.
He emphasized that politicians now buy PVCs, warning voters not to sell their cards for any reason because it is a punishable electoral offence.
He said, “Some of you are aware that only recently, INEC managed to convict two people who were found guilty of illegally possessing PVCs in Kano and Sokoto. So, I urge people to collect their PVCs, keep them safely, and make sure you go out there and cast your votes on the election day because you cannot vote without your PVCs.”
