The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders in Nasarawa State to mobilise people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in order to vote candidates of their choice in the 2023 general elections.
Dr Uthman Ajidagba, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, made the call on Thursday in Lafia during stakeholders’ meeting on PVC Collections and 2023 General Elections organised by the commission.
Ajidagba said that PVCs are now on collection across the state and the country, while calling on registered voters to go and obtain their cards.
“As a way of reciprocating the commission’s effort, please ensure you collect your PVC today.
“Since PVC is everyone’s license to vote as enshrined in the Electoral Act. The collection is now on-going at our local government area offices across the state.
“The commission has earmarked 6 – 15 of January for collection at Registration Areas (RAs) after which they are to be returned to Area Offices from between 15 and 22 January, 2023,” he said.
Ajidagba said that the crucial engagement was aimed at rejuvenating the commission activities preparatory to the upcoming polls.
“It gives me great joy to welcome you, our critical stakeholders, to this very crucial engagement aimed at rejuvenating our activities preparatory to the 2023 General Election.
“The complex nature of the electoral process makes it imperative to engage a host of stakeholders in order to succeed; hence the need to come together to interact and share ideas on how best to execute the electoral mandate,” he said.
The REC assured that the commission would conduct free, fair, credible and inclusive elections in 2023
“As determined as we are to improving our electoral system, one thing that is a task for us is conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
“Giving this doggedness, we have severally embarked on series of researches and came up with innovations ranging from Data Capturing Machine, Card Reader to now Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“It may be mind boggling making time to ask why the change of technologies; the simple answer is that, we are working to improving our electoral system,” he explained.
Ajidagba said that the 2023 general elections is about 70 days from now.
He said that the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to hold on Feb. 25, 2023, while the Governorship and State House of Assembly polls would take place on March 11 March, 2023.
Ajidagba urged stakeholders and other voters to be vigilant by policing themselves in order to help avert breach of security during the election
He called on political actors and other stakeholders to please play the game by the rules in the interest of peace and for the success of the election.
Mr Cletus Ogah, the state Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), assured of political parties readiness to always support and work with the commission to ensure the success of the election.
He called on security agencies to ensure protection of Nigerians for peaceful elections.
On his part, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), the Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Traditional Council of Chiefs, commended INEC for organising the stakeholders’ meeting.
Bage said that the emirate council has made it mandatory for all district and village heads and other title holders to show their PVCs before entering any meeting/engagement of the emirate.
He said that he has urged district, village heads and other title holders, among other stakeholders of the emirate, to educate and sensitise their subjects on PVCs registration and collection.
The emir assured INEC of the state traditional rulers readiness to support them to succeed in its activities in the state and for peaceful election come 2023.
BRANDPOWER reports that the forum had in attendance the NOA, Police, NSCDC, FRSC, Army, Nigeria Correctional Service and other security agencies as well as leaders of political parties.
