By Aaron Ossai
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC said that one Nasiru Idris arrested with 101 Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs in Sokoto state has been successfully prosecuted and sentenced to one year imprisonment.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye in a statement on Sunday said the offence contravened sections 117 and 145 of the Electoral Act 2022.
He also disclosed that the Police in Kano state has arrested a man who was found in possession of 367 PVCs and that the suspect has been charged to court while the Commission is pursuing his prosecution.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate that it will continue to pursue all violators of the Electoral Act and ensure their diligent prosecution”, he said.
On update on PVC collection, Okoye said following the end of the statutory period for the display of the register of voters for claims and objections, the Commission is determined to make the collection of PVCs as seamless as possible.
According to him, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed which will among the issues to be discussed and finalised at a retreat holding in Lagos from 28th November to 2nd December 2022 involving all the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“At the e end of the retreat, the Commission will release the dates as well as the detailed procedure for the immediate collection of PVCs nationwide.
“The Commission appreciates the patience and understanding of Nigerians, especially those who registered as voters or applied for transfer/replacement of their cards from January to July 2022. In making the cards available for collection, the Commission is also working to ensure that the process is hitch-free”, he added.
