By Praise Chinecherem
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra state has revealed that over 7,000 PVC of registered voters are yet to be collected from the Njikoja council headquarters in the state.
Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. (Mrs) Queen Elizabeth Agwu made the disclosure during the stakeholders’ meeting geared towards the conduct of 2023 general election, organized by INEC in Awka.
She insisted that the Commission considers this meeting expedient and periodic for a smooth and successful conduct of the 2023 general election in Anambra state.
She charged registered voters across the state to go and collect their PVCs which is the only weapon they will use to participate in the 2023 election.
She said, “This is only one local government area, if we visit other local government areas, I don’t know what the total number of uncollected PVCs will be in Anambra state.
“Go and claim your PVC, it’s your life, with it you will vote in the election, but without it you can not vote for your preferred candidate.
“In Anambra state, for instance, we have 5,720 polling units, 326 registration areas(wards), with above 2.5 million voters. These figures clearly show the scope of election activities and enormity of the task ahead before the Commission and stakeholders.”
Agwu recalled that the Commission suspended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on July 31, 2022, to enable automation, aggregation, harmonization, clean-up and did play of voter register for claims and objections.
“We have just concluded the display exercise at the 326 Registration Areas(RAs), which took place between 12th and 18th November 2022.
“At LG level, the display of Voter Register commenced 19th to end on 25th November,2022, the Voter Register is also displayed for viewing, claims and objections via INEC portal www.inecnigeria.org.
She warned against vote buying, maintaining that it will not work this time because people’s eyes been opened, adding, “Anyone hoping to buy votes, I tell you it will not work. If I see anybody selling or buying votes, it will be regrettable for the person. There is a penalty.
“I will monitor the election. I will use both spiritual and physical means to monitor during the election in Anambra state and ensure it is successful”.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner assured that the preparation and other activities of INEC are poised to deliver the general elections on the principles of democracy, equity and fairness, adding that the the trust of effective dissemination of information about election activities lies on the stakeholders by extension.
In a remark, the State Director, National Orientation Agency, Barr. Charles Nwoji, blamed Politicians for being responsible in influencing vote buying, as well as the electorates who receive gratification from them, just as he urged Political leaders to educate their party members and supporters.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Coordinator, Anambra state, Mrs Blessing Iruma, said the body had carried out sensitisation workshops for corps members, saying they were ready to offer their services to the nation, especially during the 2023 general elections.
Other stakeholders present at the meeting include Representatives from the PDP, APC, ADP, Zenith, the IPAC Chairman, Anambra state, Uche Ugwoji, transport unions traditional rulers among others.
