The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced investigation into the disturbing allegations about Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) buried in private homes in the country.
The commission also called on those who found the PVCs to deliver to the offices of the commission nearest to them as a Mark of their patriotic duty to the nation.
The commission’s reaction followed a viral video indicating thousands of PVCs buried in the private residences of influential Nigerians.
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said in a statement on Thursday that the commission was dealing with the issue with all seriousness.
He said that the commission will not hesitate to deal with anyone involved in the curious attempt to disenfranchise Nigerians.
“We have commenced immediate investigation and anyone found culpable in this diabolical scheme clearly intended to disenfranchise Nigerians will be sanctioned under the law.
“Every eligible Nigerian who registered as a voter is entitled to his/her PVC. The constitutional right to vote in any election must never be suppressed or abridged in any way.
“As far as the record of the Commission is concerned, PVCs have been printed for all valid registrants in Nigeria up to 14th January 2022 and delivered to all the states of the federation for collection by voters. We will not allow retrogressive elements to sabotage our efforts.
“The issues of voter registration, compilation of the voters’ roll and issuance of PVCs are at the heart of any democratic elections and the Commission is working hard to ensure that every eligible citizen who appears in person at the registration venue is registered. We assure Nigerians that this matter will be pursued to its logical conclusion.
“Already, the Commission is reviewing the procedure for collecting PVCs to make it less cumbersome and more transparent. This will be a major topic at the next regular quarterly meeting with stakeholders so that working together we can find a lasting solution to the issue,” he said.
Okoye, therefore, urged those who found the allegedly buried PVCs to deliver them to INEC office in any state or local government.
“This will be their patriotic contribution to the consolidation of our electoral process,” he stated.