Boko Haram Senator, Ndume Commends INEC Over PVCs Distribution At Borno IDP Camps

BEVERLY HILLS, January 11, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been commended for its efforts at making sure that all Nigerians of voting age are not dis-enfranchised in the February general elections.

INEC was particularly praised for its efforts at ensuring that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the various camps in the Northeast are not denied their voting rights.

The Senator representing Borno South at the National Assembly, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who is also facing federal charges over ties to the terrorist group Boko Haram, gave the commendation at a media briefing in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Sunday.

Ndume, who expressed satisfaction with the effort of INEC , said the electoral body has shown from day one that “no Nigerian that has come of age is left out of the exercise.”

Ndume said he had visited some IDP camps in Maiduguri and seen that INEC was doing a great job by giving the PVCs to those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.

“I want to commend INEC for embarking on the distribution of the PVC after so many delays. You can see in most polling units, that individuals are so anxious to collect their PVCs, because it is the only ticket that will allow them participate in next months general election,” he stated.

He added that the large turn out of registered voters eager to collect their PVCs was very encouraging.”

“The large turn out is an indication that we are going to have massive voters turn-out during the election in February.”

“You can see that even the IDPs are eager to collect their voters card, going by the number of people trying to collect their PVC.”

“Many people are happy that it is now clear that they are going to vote during the election,” he said.

Ndume however used the opportunity to appeal to the military to fast-track the ongoing anti-terror operation by completely dislodging the Boko Haram insurgents from the state so that the IDPs can go back home before the general elections.

“We will be very happy if the military is able to dislodge the insurgents from our villages before the elections, so we can vote in our homes.”

“Section 42 of the Electoral Act states clearly that no Nigeria should be disenfranchised by preventing him from voting in an election.”

“But the problem of insurgency had created many IDPs who are no longer staying in their communities .”

“Even INEC was worried about the situation at one point. But the senate in its wisdom passed a motion mandating INEC to use its administrative structure to allow the IDPs to vote.”

“The IDPs are eager to exercise their voting right during the election by bringing a lasting change that will turn round their situation.

“The IDPs want to vote for a government that will allow them go back to their homes,” he stated.