The Independent National Electoral Commission again on Thursday insisted that permanent voters cards don’t expire.
The commission said all those claiming PVCs have expired are only misinforming Nigerians.
This was just as INEC said that security still poses challenges to the smooth conduct of the elections in 2023, adding that it can only organize elections but don’t have control over securing the country.
Addressing journalists in Abuja at the public presentation of the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (SP) and the 2023 Election Project Plan (EPP) INEC Chairman, Prof Yakubu Mahmood, said there was need to emphasise this fact to discourage multiple registrations.
He said, “The Commission once again reiterates that PVCs have no expiry dates. We want to assure all registered voters that PVCs issued by the Commission remain valid for all elections.”
The claim that PVCs expire is misleading adding “Citizens are therefore advised not to register more than once as multiple registration is an offence under the Electoral Act. Anyone engaged in the act of double or multiple registration is liable to prosecution. No citizen should engage in it or encourage others to violate the law.”
Speaking on the security situation, the INEC boss said, “We are also aware of the security challenges and their impact on the electoral process. We will continue to engage early and intensely with the security agencies to ensure the safety of our personnel and materials, accredited observers and the media and, above all, the voters. “Clearly, these are challenging times but we are determined that election must hold in 2023. However, this is a shared responsibility. INEC plays a critical role but the Commission alone cannot deliver the elections we all desire. I therefore appeal to all Nigerians to joins hands with us in ensuring that we make a success of the process.”
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The INEC Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the INEC Election Project Plan for the 2023 General Election was the third in its series.
He said election will be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide listing the breakdown as 1 presidential constituency, 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, 28 governorship elections and 993 state constituencies.
He said, “The election will involve an estimated one million electoral officials (both permanent and temporary or ad hoc staff) deployed to 176,846 polling units in 8,809 Wards and 774 Local Government Areas across the country.
“The election will be governed by a new Electoral Act 2022, which contains many progressive provisions that will enhance the capacity of the Commission to conduct elections and manage the electoral process better.”
Mahmood said Nigerian elections are getting better with “electoral outcomes less contentious.”
He said his Commission will next week, conclude the revision of the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
“Work has also commenced on the review of the manuals for the training of election duty personnel. With the planning processes virtually completed, the Commission will now focus its attention on election technology and election administration,” he added