Disregard What Politicians Are Telling You, Only PVC Holders Will Be Allowed To Vote, INEC Warns Again

Here’s a press release from INEC ahead of
tomorrow’s Governorship/State Assembly
elections.
The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) has received reports
that some political leaders are asking
members of the public to disregard its
stated resolve to use Permanent Voter
Cards (PVCs) and Smart Card Readers
(SCRs) for the April 11, 2015 Governorship
and State Assembly elections.
A particular state governor in the North
Central geo-political zone is reported to
have assured voters in the state that they
could come out to vote on Election Day
with Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) if they
do not have the PVC, and that INEC will not
be allowed to insist on the use of SCRs for
voter accreditation.
Members of the public are strongly advised
to disregard false assurances that
contradict the regulations INEC has outlined
for the Governorship and State Assembly
elections. The Commission reaffirms that
only voters with genuine PVCs should
come out to the polling units on Election
Day, and that guidelines issued on the use
of SCRs for the April 11 elections will be
strictly applied. Any action infringing these
guidelines will be an electoral offence, and
security agents will be on hand to
apprehend offenders.
The Commission commends Nigerian
voters for their peaceful conduct and
exemplary resilience, even in the face of
minor challenges, during the Presidential
and National Assembly elections on March
28, 2015. It, however, considers it
unfortunate that some leaders would
misguide the public and thereby prepare
ground for needless disruptions to the
polling process on April 11. INEC hereby
warns that any obstruction to the
processes it has put in place for the
elections by any person, no matter how
highly placed, will constitute an electoral
offence punishable in law.
Meanwhile, the Commission has assigned
the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC)
of Kogi State, Alhaji Hussaini Halilu Pai, to
supervise the conduct of the Governorship
and State Assembly elections in Kano State,
following the tragic demise of Alhaji
Minkala Abdullahi last weekend. Before his
posting as FCT REC, Alhaji Pai was Ekiti
State REC, who conducted the
Governorship Election of June 21, 2014.
Kayode Robert Idowu
Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman