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The Independent National Electoral Commission on
Tuesday announced that a total of 4,658 permanent
voter cards were snatched during last week’s
distribution of the cards in nine local government
areas of Edo State.
It explained that a total of 3,661 PVCs were snatched
in eight polling units in Orhionmwon local
government area of the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr.
Baritor Kpagih, who made this known while briefing
journalist on the outcome of the distribution exercise,
said that the commission also lost 997 of the cards
in Etsako West and Ovia North-East local
government area of the state.
Kpagih, who decried the cases of card theft despite
warnings by the commission that the PVCs could
only be useful to their rightful owners, however,
stated that the matter had been reported to the
police, while the commission would also commence
an internal investigation.
“We also want to put it on record that we were a bit
disappointed that in spite of our appeal to all our
people to recognise the fact that stealing and
snatching of cards will be of no use because these
cards can only be used by the card holder, such
events still took place in a number of local
government areas.
“The most disturbing is the one that took place in
Orhrionmwon local government area where a total
number of 3667 cards were snatched from eight
polling units.
“The case has been reported to the police and we
believe that the police will do a good job,” he said.
The resident electoral commissioner attributed some of
the challenges recorded during the exercise to lateness
of INEC staff at the units and delayed training of
staff.
He explained that the total number of cards meant
for the state could not be disclosed, as some of the
cards brought to Edo were originally meant for
eligible voters in Jigawa, Kogi and Delta States.
While noting that the technical hitch might also be
responsible for the non-availability of the cards at
some polling units in the state, he however assured
that the commission would follow up so that affected
voters would get their cards.
Kpagih said that the continuous voter registration
schedule to begin on Wednesday, would be held at
the various ward collation centres in the state for
persons who had turned 18, had not registered before
or did not find their names in the voters register.
While calling for orderliness during registration
process, he however urged participants in various
communities in the state to avoid using the exercise
as a means of exhibiting communal hostilities.
The Punch
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