From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi state, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet has lamented poor response of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) collection in the state with a call on the people to do the needful to guarantee the safety of the nation’s democratic process.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in his maiden press briefing held in Lokoja on Wednesday, disclosed that out of the 1,919,350 total number of PVCs billed for collection in Kogi only 17,713 were so far collected by their owners .
Longpet noted that the PVC collection which have been on-going nationwide since September 2022, is central to the kind of leaders that people desire and expressed dismay over non-challant attitude of citizens in Kogi to respond positively.
“One cannot hope to vote if he or she doesn’t have a PVC hence the need for a call on those that have not responded to do so. While PVCs for those that registered between June 28th and 31st will be ready this November, the Commission is working very hard to improve the process of PVC collection to ensure that the people have a pleasant experience when they go to collect their cards” the Resident Electoral Commissioner explained.
He called on the Media to brace up in its constitutional roles in shaping the political landscapes of various countries worldwide.
He assured that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), now armed with improved electoral act, administrative procedures and requisite technology will ensure credible, free and fair elections come 2023.
According to him “the days of wanton manipulation of election results is over. However, this task cannot be left to INEC alone hence the need for Nigerians, the media and all stakeholders as well as organisations to partner with us to deliver elections that will be globally acceptable”