Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rita Awhefada, Electoral Officer, has decried low collection of Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) in Surulere Constituency II of Lagos State.
Awhefada stated this at the 8th annual Constituency Stakeholders Meeting organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday in Itire-Ikate Local Government Development Area.
She said the PVC registration would end officially on June 30 (today) adding that there was no directive regarding the extension of the exercise from the commission’s headquarters.
She said there were uncollected PVCs from 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2021, and urged residents to come forward to collect them.
She said residents who registered between June and December 2021 and those who transferred their registration from one ward to another, should come forward to collect their cards.
“Collection of PVC is very low in this area, we urge residents to come forward to receive them.
“We will do everything possible to capture as many people as possible. We don’t discriminate, we will register everyone.
“For people that registered from January to date, your PVC will be ready by October,” she said.
Deputy Chief Whip, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mosunmola Sangodara, expressed worry over non-collection of the PVCs.
She said the stakeholder’s meeting became necessary to educate people on the importance of PVC and the need for them to collect the backlogs.
She urged residents not to duplicate their registration to avoid disqualification.
“I want to thank party leaders in our constituency for their effort in mobilizing our members to participate in the ongoing PVC registration.
“We still have a lot to do because many of our people have not registered while some are yet to collect their PVCs.
“I urge you all to go out, register, and collect your cards so you can reelect your leaders,” she said.
Sangodara charged the traditional rulers in the area to continue to mobilize their people to register and collect their PVCs, adding that they had a huge role to play in the success of the exercise.
Some constituents at the meeting urged INEC to make the exercise flexible and fast as well as extend the registration exercise.