As the 2023 general elections inch closer, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has expressed fears of large number of the voting population in Akwa Ibom state becoming a disenfranchised lot, following widespread apathy towards the collection of the permanent voter cards (PVCs) since the exercise kicked-off on Monday.
Besides, the INEC national commissioner, Mrs. May Mbu, who stated this yesterday in Uyo, the state capital at the INEC-Akwa Ibom stakeholders forum, preparatory to the polls early next year, lamented that destroying of polling infrastructure could hamper smooth conduct of the polls.
She, therefore, appealed to all the stakeholders, especially political parties to engage in spreading the information about the PVCs collection exercise far and wide.
She said, “The statutory notice of the elections has been duly given and activities have begun in full force. The commission, though, is not happy with the burning of some of our local government offices in some states.
“Since the commission published the notice of elections on February 28, 2022, the activities have commenced in full force. Already, we are at the most critical stage in the implementation of the activities in the timeline, timetable and schedule of activities for the general elections.
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“One major reason for this occasion is to use this opportunity to tell stakeholders, traditional rulers, security personnel, politicians, intended voters and indeed, everyone in Akwa Ibom State that the pace of collection of PVCs in Akwa Ibom is abysmally slow.
“We want stakeholders to take up the mantle of spreading the information far and wide. Everyone must go to collect their PVCs. The commission is working round the clock to make sure that these PVCs get to every registrant so that no one should be disenfranchised.
“I am made to understand that steps have been taken to ensure that there is reasonable security across our offices in this state and I thank the various security agencies in the state. However, please do not relent in re-enforcing the security around our personnel, state and local government offices.”
The INEC national commissioner noted that the commission on its part was making steady progress in other critical areas in preparation for the elections including the provision of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, the recruitment of adhoc staff and the planning for the movement of personnel and materials for the election.
The state resident electoral commissioner, Dr. Cyril Onoregbe, noted that the forum became necessary for the stakeholders to exchange ideas on how to achieve a free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
He, however, assured the people that the commission would make sure nobody was disenfranchised as far as the collection of PVCs is concerned.
