The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed claims that some of its officials are involved in the sale of Permanent Voter Cards in Edo State ahead of the governorship election on September 21.
Transparency for Electoral Systems Advocacy, a civic group, filed a petition on August 23, 2024, alleging that uncollected PVCs were sold to state legislators.
In reaction to this remark, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, called the charges false and challenged TESA to show substantial evidence to back up their claims.
“The allegation by Transparency for Electoral Systems Advocacy (TESA) accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of selling uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to politicians in Edo State is untrue.
“The Commission does not sell but issues PVCs free of charge to only registered voters,” Oyekanmi stated, emphasising that the process is transparent and strictly regulated.
Oyekanmi further stated that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has made it practically impossible to vote using someone else’s PVC.
He stated that any attempt to do so will result in arrest and prosecution on Election Day.
“It is a well-known fact, and we want to assure TESA that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), it has become practically impossible for any voter to use another person’s PVC to vote.
“To that extent, any uncollected PVC cannot be used by anyone to vote during the Edo State Governorship Election. Politicians know this.
“Any person who attempts to do so will be arrested and handed over to law enforcement agents on Election Day. It is also an electoral offence for an individual to have another voter’s PVC,” he added.
The state’s PVC collection process began on Thursday and will last until September 8, 2024.
According to Oyekanmi, any claims of uncollected PVCs being sold are premature and unfounded.
INEC has urged TESA and other concerned individuals to present concrete evidence of misconduct by its officials to the Commission for immediate action.
The CPS noted, “However, we encourage TESA and other individuals with concrete evidence of unethical acts against any of our Electoral Officers to promptly avail the Commission of the evidence for immediate action.”
