INEC Redeploys Commissioners, Announces Commencement Of PVC Collection In Three States

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) in Edo and Ekiti states to Bayelsa and Lagos States respectively.

The commission has also announced the collection of Permanent Voters Cards in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states ahead of the off-circle elections in the three states scheduled for November 11.

In a statement on Tuesday, signed by the newly appointed national commissioner in charge of Information and voter education, Sam Olumekun, the commission said while Obo Effanga takes over in Baylesa state, Prof. Ayobami Salami heads to Lagos from Ekiti.

He said the redeployment of the new RECs followed the expiration of the tenure of the RECs in Bayelsa and Lagos states,

Olumekun also said that the collection of Permanent Voters Cards will only affect the three states where the governorship election will take place.

The statement reads: “In continuation of our preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, lmo and Kogi States, the Commission has approved the resumption of collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for registered voters who could not collect their PVCs before the suspension of the exercise on 5th February 2023 ahead of the last General Election.

“The current exercise only covers the three states where Governorship elections will be held on Saturday 11th November 2023.

“The PVCs will be available for collection at all our Local Government area offices in the three states: eight in Bayelsa, 27 in Imo and 21 in Kogi.

“In addition, the Commission has created other designated centres with a large number of uncollected PVCs. The details of all centres will be made available by the Resident Electoral Commissioners in the three states.

“The Commission has earmarked weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm for the collection of PVCs for a period of four weeks from 11th September – 9th October 2023.

“The Commission once again enjoins all political parties and candidates to conduct themselves peacefully and to avoid utterances and actions capable of causing a breach of peace in their ongoing campaigns.”