BY LAWRENCE ETIM.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Tuesday in Lagos revealed that permanent voters’ cards for 2015 general elections are ready and it would begin the distribution of same for Osun and Ekiti gubernatorial elections from February 25.
INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega explained that in line with constitutional provisions on conduct of elections, the commission has scheduled February 25 to March 12 to commence distribution of permanent voters cards for Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections and March 12 to 17 for the display of voters register for Osun governorship polls.
Represented by Dr Chris Iyimoga, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Publicity Committee, Jega said permanent voters cards for 2015 general elections are ready.
The nationwide process for distribution of permanent voters’ cards he said will commence as soon as all is ready and the logistics and every detail is in place. We want the permanent voters’ cards to be swiped by the card reader to determine their authenticity so we would avoid what we passed through in the past quarter and certain parts of the Electoral Act which posed a hindrance in 2011 would be reviewed by the National Assembly by July 3rd this year.
The commission called for active participation of the electorate saying that “inactive citizenry participation in the preparations is also a problem. When the electorates don’t participate in preparations for elections, it poses a challenge.”
