By Gabriella Ogbu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is considering withdrawing and destroying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), that remain unclaimed for a decade.

This proposal emerged from a post-2023 general election review, which generated 208 recommendations.

As of 2023, over six million PVCs remain uncollected, some dating back to 2015.

Stakeholders have urged INEC to address the backlog, arguing that these cards likely won’t be claimed and contribute to inefficiencies in voter management.

Challenges in PVC Collection

Despite extending the PVC collection deadline and decentralizing the process to the ward level, INEC reported significant collection challenges.

Efforts like online tracking and collaboration with civil society organizations yielded limited success, leaving millions of cards unclaimed.

Modernization Efforts

INEC has also proposed modernizing the voting process by gradually phasing out physical PVCs.

With the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), enabling biometric voter verification, voters could use digital credentials instead.

However, implementing this shift requires amending Section 47(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates PVC presentation for accreditation.

Reactions to the Proposal

Political parties are divided over the idea.

The Labour Party supports the plan, citing voter register decluttering, while the PDP criticizes it as a diversion from INEC’s credibility issues.

The NNPP opposes the destruction, calling it wasteful and suggesting secure storage instead.

Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), back INEC’s proposal, arguing that many uncollected PVCs likely stem from double registrations or belong to deceased individuals.

However, others urge caution, citing the resources invested in producing the cards and calling for public awareness before any decision is made.

By Samson Adeyanju

The Kukah Centre, serving as the secretariat for Nigeria’s National Peace Committee, is intensifying efforts in Ondo State to promote a peaceful and credible electoral process ahead of the November 16 elections.

Led by Project Manager Mrs. Asabe Ndahi, the Kukah Centre team is working closely with key stakeholders to ensure that peace prevails on election day.

In a critical step towards fostering unity, the team met with Prince Olaoluwa Adesanya, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ondo State, along with IPAC’s Secretary and Treasurer.

The discussions focused on assessing the current electoral climate and identifying any challenges to be addressed.

Prince Adesanya and his team provided valuable insights into the state’s electoral preparations and highlighted areas needing attention to promote harmony among political parties.

Additionally, the Kukah Centre recently engaged with Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside other commissioners and Ondo’s Resident Electoral Commissioner.

The high-level meeting centered on INEC’s readiness, potential hurdles, and measures to ensure a transparent and peaceful election.

The collaboration reflects a united commitment to free, fair, and violence-free elections.

The National Peace Committee, supported by the European Union’s initiative for democratic governance in Nigeria, remains dedicated to fostering peace and credibility throughout the Ondo electoral process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially issued Certificates of Return to Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, solidifying their victory in the recently concluded gubernatorial election. The duo, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), were presented with their certificates during a formal ceremony at INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

This follows Okpebholo’s triumph in the governorship election held in Edo State on Saturday, where he emerged as the victor after a fiercely contested race. Okpebholo, who currently serves as a Senator representing Edo Central at the National Assembly, was declared the winner after securing a total of 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, finished in a distant third place with 22,763 votes.

The official announcement was made by INEC’s Returning Officer for the election, Professor Faruk Kuta, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, after the collation of results from the state’s 18 local government areas. The APC won in 11 local governments, while the PDP secured victory in seven.

The certificate presentation ceremony was attended by key political figures, including the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, members of the APC National Working Committee, and the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Comrade Philip Shaibu. The high-profile event marked the formal recognition of Okpebholo and Idahosa’s victory by INEC, signaling the next phase of leadership transition in Edo State.

However, the PDP has not taken the results of the election lightly. Umar Damagum, the party’s acting National Chairman, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the outcome, asserting that the election was flawed and vowing to challenge the results in court. During a press conference in Abuja, Damagum declared that the PDP would explore every legal option to reclaim what it perceives as its rightful mandate.

“We are determined to use every legal means available within a democracy to retrieve our mandate. This fight is far from over,” Damagum said, hinting at a prolonged legal battle ahead.

The election has already generated significant debate among political analysts and stakeholders in the state. Some have praised INEC for conducting a peaceful and relatively smooth election process, while others have raised concerns about potential irregularities and the conduct of certain political actors during the campaign and voting periods.