4th March, 2015
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has so far distributed 55,232, 875 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) nationwide.
Dr Chris Iyimoga, the INEC National Commissioner, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the commission’s preparedness for the rescheduled elections.
He said that the figure represented 80.24 per cent.
“The collection of PVCs at the ward or registration area centres has continued across the country.
“I am delighted to report that as we speak, we have surpassed the 80 per cent threshold of the collection of the PVCs nationwide.
“As at Tuesday, February 12, 2015, we had received ballot papers meant for all the elections and taken them to the states.
“They are securely locked up at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) vaults across the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), awaiting further distribution for the elections.
“We have also received and distributed all ballot boxes meant for the elections.”
Iyimoga stated that the commission had also distributed enough smart card readers for all the pulling units (PUs) and voting points to the states with some redundancies.
He said that even though the commission had satisfactorily tested the smart card readers, it would further conduct more rigorous field testing on its functionality in two selected states from each of the six geo-political zones on Saturday, March 7.
According to him, the states are; Ekiti, Lagos, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta, Rivers, Kano, Kebbi, Bauchi, Taraba, Niger and Nasarawa.
He said that the commission was also carrying out training and re-training of election officers as well as voter education.
Iyimoga said though, the commission was prepared to conduct the elections before it was rescheduled, INEC was working to further perfect its processes.
“What is clear from the foregoing is that the commission since the re-scheduling of the elections, has not rested on its oars.
“It has taken advantage of the period of extension to perfect its processes, and to ensure that it adds value to the electoral process.’’
He said that the commission had scheduled some preparatory activities to the forthcoming elections to reinforce its preparedness for the elections.
These, according to him, include meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), on March 11 to further review the commission’s overall preparations and readiness for the elections.
He said that while the commission would also meet with political parties to review its preparedness, it would also brief accredited observers on March 19.
“The national commissioners will return to their respective zones between March 16 and 22, for a final pre-election visit to ensure that all plans are in place to ensure hitch free elections.”
Iyimoga disclosed that a report on the visit of the National Commissioners to the respective states they supervise between Feb. 11 and 19 showed that the commission was ready and better prepared for the 2015 general elections.