According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), purchasing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in advance of the general elections in 2023 is a waste of time, money, and resources.
Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, made this statement on Wednesday at a training session for journalists that the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the INEC jointly sponsored in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The only reason why many individuals won’t cast ballots in the upcoming elections, according to Okoye, who was speaking on behalf of the Deputy Director in charge of the gender department, Ndidi Okafor, is identity theft.
Okoye argued that purchasing PVCs is a fruitless endeavor when speaking at the seminar on conflict-sensitive reporting and the 2023 general election.
He asserted that journalists are essential to strengthening democracy, which is why training is being provided as Nigeria prepares for a new general election.
Okoye said,
“Anyone buying PVC is embarking on effort in futility. It is an effort in futility. Futility exercise.
“It is not possible to snatch ballot boxes and ballot papers again. It is because of technology. The only reason why some people will not vote is identity theft. What we are dealing with is the fingerprint and the face.
“So, if your finger did not match, then your face must match. If your fingerprint did not match and your face did not match, then you cannot vote, that means you are not the owner of the PVC. That is identity theft.
“Because media is a stakeholder, a critical stakeholder for that matter. So, I want to appeal to you the media, you are a stakeholder.
“Let me say it again, the only reason why some people will not vote during the elections is identity theft. So, we enjoin you to be part of this education to sensitise the public. We need you to ensure accurate reportage”.
