*We’ll sanction such staff -REC
FromTimothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Some aggrieved registered voters in Borno have accused officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberate attempts to deny them the collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) due to their political affiliations and other considerations.
Spokesman of the group, Ishauku Yakubu who led other affected persons, told journalists at a press briefing yesterday, the officials fore-closed the possibility of getting their PVCs except after the General Elections.
“We have reasons to believe that there is a sinister plan to disenfranchise thousands of people as there appears to be no reason for holding up the PVCs of all of us here and many others,” he said.
Yakubu, a chieftain of Labour Party accused the commission’s officials in Maiduguri of refusing some registered voters their PVCs because of their political parties or alleged suspicion they may not vote for particular candidates in the coming polls.
“One told us those that registered within certain period will not get their PVCs because they know who these registered voters will vote for,” he alleged. He said they have evidences including video and audio to back up their claims.
They asked INEC to make a commitment to Nigerians, to make the PVCs available to all eligible registered voters despite the close of collection yesterday. They also threatened to go to court if the commission fails to respond to their demand.
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mohammed Ibrahim while responding, said the commission will not tolerate officials who deny registered voters their cards.
“We will not tolerate such thing. We will sanction the officials. We will take action against officials who say people can’t collect their PVCs until 2027,” Ibrahim vowed.
He said some people could not get their cards due to double registration. He however urged affected persons to submit their complaints in written form to INEC state office.