The Independent National Election Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) by one week.
Naija News reports that the commission made this known in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Festus Okoye.
Recall that the electoral umpire earlier fixed the collection deadline as Sunday, 22nd January, 2023.
But following a meeting on Thursday, Okoye said the commission has pushed the deadline by eight days to ensure that registered voters have ample opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the forthcoming election.
Okoye disclosed that the commission has now extended the date of collection from January 22nd to January 29th, 2023 between the hours of 9am and 3pm, Monday to Sunday.
He said that the collection at the Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one a week from Monday, January 16th to Sunday January 22, 2023.
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The INEC spokesman added that the collection at the Local Government level will resume on Monday, January 23rd to Sunday 29th, January 2023.
The statement reads: “The Commission is determined to ensure that registered voters have ample opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the forthcoming election. For this reason, the timeframe for the collection of PVCs is extended by eight days.
“Instead of ending on Sunday 22nd January 2023, the collection of PVCs will continue until Sunday 29th January 2023. At the moment, the period of collection is 9.00 am – 3.00 pm daily (including Saturdays and Sundays).”
Okoye asserted that the Commission is launching an investigation into the allegations of INEC officials extorting Nigerians at PVC collection centres.
He added: “Those found culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution.
“Similarly, the Commission is disturbed by allegations of discriminatory issuance of PVCs in some locations. This is against the law. All bonafide registrants are entitled to their PVCs and to use them to vote on Election Day in any part of the country where they are registered.
“Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have been directed to ensure that no such practices occur nationwide and take immediate disciplinary action against violators.”
