Borno: INEC To Distribute PVCs In 12 Council Areas Friday

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Tuesday that it will distribute the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in only 12 Council Areas of Borno State on Friday as it explained that the exercise will not be extended to the 15 Local Government Areas currently under the control of Boko Haram because of security concerns.

Disclosing this in Maiduguri, the state capital, was the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Professor Tukur Sa'ad, who noted that PVCs and CVR exercise by INEC could be done at anytime.

According to him, “We have received a number of PVCs, but the balance is yet to arrive Maiduguri, hopefully we will receive our balance in due course, before the commission commences distributing them.”

He explained that the PVCs could not be distributed in the state until now because of the closure of roads by the military for four days last December .

“The closure of entry to Borno State has affected deliveries of PVCs and CVR for internally displaced persons,” he said, adding that the distribution of cards and voters' registers will however be restricted to only 12 council areas, because of Boko Haram insurgency in 15 Local Government Areas of the state.

He listed the affected councils to include Bama, Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Konduga, Chibok, Damboa, Dikwa, Ngala, Abadam, Marte, Mafa, Kukawa and Kala/Balge.

“Since we cannot guarantee the security of INEC and other ad hoc staff in the continuous voters' registrations and distribution of PVCs, the commission is to distribute them in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Biu, Monguno, Gubio, Magumeri, Mobbar, Kwaya/Kusar, Bayo, Nganzai, Guzamala and Shani councils,” he said.

On the fears being expressed about the possible disenfranchisement of IDPs, the REC said: “Legally, PVCs can be distributed even on election day. But we want to have a cushion of at least one month; it is achievable. The displaced persons should not entertain fears of being disenfranchised by the commission at their respective camps in the state.”

Prof. Sa'ad also disclosed that Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) for IDPs in the state was being considered by a Task Force, saying its report has been submitted to the commission for implementation last Saturday.