2023: INEC embarks on rally, decries low collection of PVCs in Osun

In preparation for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decried the low rate of collection of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) amongst the electorates in Osun State.

This was made known by the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC for Osun, Dr Mutiu Agboke during a sensitisation rally held in Osogbo on Saturday.

The awareness train which had kicked off from the INEC headquarters in Osogbo, went through Abere, Gbongan-Ibadan Road, Olaiya junction and Jaleyemi junction.

The rally also went to Oja-Oba, Orisunmibare Market, Oke-Fia junction and other parts of Osogbo the state capital.

Speaking to journalists during the rally, Agboke stated that the purpose of the rally was to carry out an elaborate and intensive campaign with regards to the uncollected PVCs.

While lamenting that the non-collection of PVCs is a big problem for the Commission the Osun INEC boss added that in four days, only 1,032 out of 408,197 PVCs were collected in the state.

"Whether we like it or not in Nigeria today, non collection of PVC is a big problem for INEC and unfortunately we have discovered that some unscrupulous individuals have gone ahead to purchase the pvcs form the electorate.

"There is need for us to scale up the level of awareness for the electorates to go and collect their PVCs.

"For example, when I resumed in Osun state we have 408, 197 uncollected PVCs and between 12 and 17 December, only 1032 electorates have gone to collect their cards. As I speak to you now, we have 407,165 left.

"If we have over 400000 PVCs and only 1000 have only come to collect, it means we have not done anything and people have not come out."

He stated that scaling up the level of awareness to the collection of the PVC is of importance to the Commission.

"First thing we have to do is that we have to scale up the level of awareness and for us in Osun we are lucky that a self sustaining and self organisation came to collaborate with us and that is why you see the bikers coming from Lagos and other states to converge in Osun State for us to have this awareness.

"I am of the strong opinion that after this campaign, we are going to see a positive effect in this with the collection of the PVC. So that is the essence of our coming out to inform the people."

Agboke also revealed is ready to conduct the 2023 general election as 5,306 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines have been deployed to Osun State.

"This campaign is part of the readiness of the Commission

 We are telling them to collect the pvc and educating them not to sell their pvc and to vote for the candidate of their choice.

"INEC is ready. Our BVAS is ready. We have received 5306 BVAS machines. We are charging and configuring the machines, training our staff, partnering and engaging with our stakeholders day in and day out."



FI