Knocks, praises trail PVC collection in Edo

It was mixed feeling for Edo residents who thronged the various offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission  on Monday in Benin to collect their Permanent Voters Cards

While some complained that the process to get their PVC was slow, others said they were able to get theirs within 30 minutes. Another group also expressed disappointments over the unavailablility of their cards.

Some of the residents told The PUNCH that it was disturbing that after the preparation for the collection of the PVC, some could still not be found, noting that it was clear that some electorate would not be able to vote in next year’s election.

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It was also gathered that some who could not find their PVC were told to come back in January to check.

However, Lucky Osaro, who was at the Egor Local government said that he could not find his card despite having his name displayed on INEC’s website. He noted that he was told to come back in January to check.

He added, “I thought INEC was ready to distribute the PVC but from what I experienced on Monday, it was clear that they were not ready.How can the officials tell us to check back on January which is just few weeks to the election? I hope this is not a ploy to disenfranchise people.”

 A trader at Egor Local Government office, Mrs. Virginia Nwajorgu, was in tears after she was told by an INEC official that her voters card was not ready.

Nwajorgu said, “How can they say the card is not ready? How do they expect me to vote if I don’t get it eventually? This is very unfair. I am not happy at all.”

Another resident, Smart Ehiorobo, lamented the slow process of collection, adding that inadequate INEC officials was making the process very slow.

 He said, “I was outside for hours and when I finally got inside, they checked the system and saw my name but to my greatest surprise I was told to come back January 2023, that my card is not available.”

For Eghosa Ebohon, Rosemary Osifo and some others, the process was seamless as they were able to collect their PVCs within 20 to 30 minutes.

The Head, Voter Education Department Edo office, Mr Timidi Wariowei, said that the commission was yet to receive reports of the exercise from the various locations.

“We have not received reports yet. The exercise just started today (Monday). If it is established that some cards are not available, we will communicate to Abuja. I do not think the problems will be peculiar to Edo State.”