Anambra residents want Jan. 22 PVC collection deadline extended

The people of Anambra, on Friday, appealed to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the Jan. 22, 2023 deadline on collection of permanent voter cards (PVCs).

Our correspondent, who monitored the level of PVCs collection in Ogidi, Anambra, observed that many people had yet to collect their voter cards.

Mr Emeka Ubah, from Ogidi ward II, said he was happy to have collected his card after waiting for a long time.

Ubah appealed to NEC to extend the January 2023 deadline for collection of the cards since many people had not yet collected theirs.

He said that people were asked to come back in January, as their cards were not yet available for collection.

“If all these people could make out time today to collect their voter cards but were asked to come back in January, what is the possibility that those cards will be available before Jan. 22?

“I think the PVC collection should be allowed to continue till the election day to avoid disenfranchising people.

“It will be fair if every willing voter is given the chance to cast his vote. So I appeal to INEC to consider an extension on the deadline,” he said.

Miss Promise Ossai, a resident, said she was asked to come back in January for her card collection.

Ossai said that she transferred her card from her former residence to Ogidi since October, but that the card had yet to be available for collection.

Messrs Emenike Okeke and Celestine Ikeokwu, both of Nkpor ward II, said that they filled the form to transfer their voter cards to Ogidi in March but were also asked to come back for collection in January.

Miss Onyinye Olisa’s case was not different, as she said that her transfer was made since June but was unlucky to pick her voter card.

Mrs Margaret Etokwudo, another resident, said that she visited the INEC office in Ogidi from Abatete community to pick up her card.

The 60-year-old Etokwudo said she was of Abatete ward six and registered around September.

Although she expressed happiness that her card was amongst those that were up for distribution, she, however, urged the electoral body to make all the cards available, as some might not return after their first trial.

Mr Livinus Chude said that he was not given his permanent voter card because he did not present his temporary card, even as he promised to repeat the visit on Dec. 27.

The Electoral Officer in-charge of Idemili North INEC office, Mr Chijioke Okike, was not available for interview.

An official of the commission, who spoke with NAN on condition of anonymity, however, said that the commission had not recorded any challenge as far as PVC collection was concerned.

The official, who was was seen attending to people, said that the office would be open throughout the Christmas and New Year period to allow to collection of PVCs.