FIFTH PRE-ELECTION PRESS STATEMENT: INEC SHOULD URGENTLY CONSIDER EXTENDING THE DAYS FOR PVC COLLECTION

FIFTH Pre-Election Press Statement: inec SHOULD URGENTLY CONSIDER EXTENDING THE DAYS FOR PVC COLLECTION

Monday 18^th February, 2019     8pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

As the Independent National Electoral Commission prepares for the new date of the 2019 General Elections, Election Monitor welcomes the recent approval on the evening of Monday 18^th February 2019 to allow political parties to continue their campaigns until midnight on Thursday 21^st February 2019.

However Election Monitor is concerned that a similar extension was not made for the collection of permanent voter cards (PVCs). On Saturday 16^th February 2019 during its stakeholders meeting, INEC announced that 76.12% or 10.87 million voters had collected their PVCs. While this is commendable, it should be improved where possible. In 2015 the total PVCs collected as of the 21^st March 2015 (just before the presidential and national assembly elections) was 56,431,255 out 68,833,476 registered voters which translates to 81.98% collection rate. This is almost 6 percent above the current rate. Considering the fact that there are voters who have made genuine efforts to collect their PVCs but have been asked to return, providing two or three extra days would be helpful. Anything that can be done to increase voter participation should be encouraged. Election Monitor recommends INEC kindly and urgently consider providing some additional days for PVC collection.

Election Monitor also states that INEC should necessarily announce the number of PVCs collected per LGA and State no later than 24 hours before the new date of the elections.

Election Monitor also encourages INEC to consider the following:

·        Hold a meeting (possibly Thursday 21^st February 2019) to provide details of INEC’s preparations for all key stakeholders.

·        INEC should kindly clarify if politicians compensating voters with cash for travelling to vote and or providing free transportation for voters does not amount to vote buying.

·        INEC should consider a daily press briefing on its preparations until Friday 22^nd February 2019.

Election Monitor admonishes voters and various stakeholders to hold a zero tolerance for election rigging and immediately expose those engaging in such.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed

Abiodun Ajijola

National Coordinator