Posted by According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), purchasing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in advance of the general elections in 2023 is a waste of time, money, and resources.
Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, made this statement on Wednesday at a training session for journalists that the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the INEC jointly sponsored in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The only reason why many individuals won’t cast ballots in the upcoming elections, according to Okoye, who was speaking on behalf of the Deputy Director in charge of the gender department, Ndidi Okafor, is identity theft.
Okoye argued that purchasing PVCs is a fruitless endeavour when speaking at the seminar on conflict-sensitive reporting and the 2023 general election.
He asserted that journalists are essential to strengthening democracy, which is why training is being provided as Nigeria prepares for a new general election.
Okoye stated:
“Anyone who purchases PVC is making a pointless effort. It is a fruitless endeavour. futile activity
“Ballot boxes and ballot papers cannot be stolen again. The reason is technology. Identity theft is the only excuse given by some people for not voting. We are dealing with the face and the fingerprint.
“Since your face must match if your finger did not, it must. You are unable to cast a ballot because you are not the PVC’s owner if your fingerprint and face did not match. Identity theft is that.
“Because the media is a shareholder and an important one at that. I want to make a plea to the media because you are a shareholder.
“I’ll say it again: Identity theft is the only reason some individuals won’t cast a ballot this election. We, therefore, urge you to take part in this education to sensibilize the general population. You must assure correct reporting for us.