Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has alerted the federal government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over alleged widespread and targeted buying of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by desperate politicians.
In a statement by the director, publicity and advocacy, NEF, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, NEF called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify its public awareness campaign against vote buying, saying the federal and state governments should intensify the campaign against violent threats that could prevent millions of voters in the North and many other citizens in other parts of the country from voting.
The statement said INEC has confirmed what the public has been aware of in the last few weeks and that “this is the widespread and targeted buying of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in many parts of the North and a few other parts of Nigeria.”
“Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had followed this worrying phenomenon, advising community leaders and major stakeholders on the dangers of disenfranchising large numbers of citizens. We have also undertaken our own investigations, which prompt this public warning.
“Thousands, or possibly even millions of Northern voters, particularly women, are being made to surrender their PVCs for a pittance, in most instances not more than 2,000 Naira. In some instances, they are told their cards will be returned to them after they are processed for additional payments as poverty relief. No cards are returned,” it said.
It said their investigations suggest that this an aggressive and blatant voter suppression attempt to reduce the voting powers of the North.
“We have been assured by INEC that this practice in itself will not compromise its systems and processes. People who are involved in this practice appear to be working for different parties, but they target communities where they assume their parties or candidates have comparative advantages or disadvantages.
“NEF advises registered voters not to part with their PVCs under any circumstances. Irrespective of which party or candidate they support, Northerners must vote in the forthcoming elections, as this is the only way our region can reverse its current fortunes and circumstances. To sell your card now or sell your vote in next year’s elections is to betray your responsibility to improve our circumstances and future,” it said.
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