The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has commenced the distribution of Permanent Voters Card, ahead of the 2023 general election to Kano residents.
Residents were seen approaching the distribution centre to pick up their PVCs.
Radio Nigeria’s correspondent in Kano, who visited several wards within the metropolitan local governments areas observed that there was large turn out of eligible and valid registrants checking their names on the list before joining the queue.
Earlier, INEC had issued a statement announcing the commencement of PVCs collection, from Monday, December 12 to Sunday, January 22, 2023 across the 774 Local Government Offices of the Commission throughout the federation.
The statement explains that, the Commission also resolves to devolve PVC collection to the 8,809 Registration Areas/Wards from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January 2023, adding that, those that are unable to collect their PVCs at the Local Government Offices of the Commission can do so at the Registration Areas/Electoral Wards.
“After the 15th of January 2023, the exercise will revert to the Local Government Offices of the Commission until the 22nd of January 2023”.
However, Radio Nigeria’s correspondent observed that, the exercise was moving in an orderly manner at INEC office Kano municipal local government area where paramilitary officials were seen at the gate controlling the crowd to ensure a hitch free exercise.
Some of the valid registrants who spoke to Radio Nigeria, Peter Usman, Rilwanu Kankarofi and Hajara Lawal commended the smooth conduct of the exercise.
They however, charged INEC officials, to collate the PVCs according to locations, as some had visited the office several times but their cards are yet to be found.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer INEC, Kano, Adam Muhammad Maulud, explained that, the PVCs distribution had been taken closer to the people, saying that, apart from local government offices, valid registrants can collect their cards across the 848 wards in the state, from January 7 to 17 including Saturdays and Sundays.
Adam Maulud said, there are over 200 thousand uncollected permanent voters card registered in 2019, that can also be collected from INEC local government offices across the state.
The Public Relations Officer, reiterated the commission’s commitment in conducting free and fair elections according to international standards.
“With 74 days to the general elections, INEC has commenced distribution of PVCs at local government offices from 9am to 3pm daily including Saturdays and Sundays for 26 days”.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
