The Independent National Electoral Commission will not distribute the Permanent Voter Card in 15 out of the 25 local government areas in Borno State owing to the activities of the terror sect, Boko Haram, which had captured the 15 affected councils.
Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, who spoke in Maiduguri on Tuesday, said the commission would distribute the PVC, starting on Friday, and carry out the Continuous Voter Registration in 12 local government areas in the state.
The affected councils, according to him, include Bama, Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Konduga, Chibok, Damboa, Dikwa, Ngala, Abadam, Marte, Mafa, Kukawa and Kala/Balge.
“Since we cannot guarantee the security of INEC and other ad hoc staff in the continuous voter registration and distribution of PVC, the commission is to distribute them in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Biu, Monguno, Gubio, Magumeri, Mobbar, Kwaya/Kusar, Bayo, Nganzai, Guzamala and Shani councils,” he added.
The newsmen had asked Sa’ad if the non-distribution of the PVC was not an indication that the February election might not hold in the troubled state.
He noted that PVC and Continuous Voter Registration by INEC could be done at anytime.
He said, “We have received a number of PVCs, but the others are yet to arrive Maiduguri. Hopefully, we will receive the rest in due course, before the commission commences distributing them.”
He however attributed the non-distribution of PVC, that placed Borno State in the last phase, to the closure of roads by the military for four days in December last year.
“The closure of entry to Borno State has affected the delivery of PVCs and the CVR for internally displaced persons,” said Sa’ad.
He said the distribution of cards and voter registration will however be restricted to only 12 council areas, because of Boko Haram insurgency in 15 local government areas of the state.
He assured the Internally Displaced Persons that the commission was working to ensure that they were not denied the opportunity to vote during the elections.
“Legally, PVC can be distributed even on election day; but we want to have a cushion of at least one month; it is achievable. The displaced persons should not entertain fears of being disenfranchised by the commission at their respective camps in the state,” Sa’ad said.
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