4,658 Voter Cards Stolen In Edo --REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday announced
that 4,658 Permanent Voter Cards were snatched during last week's
distribution of the cards in nine local government areas of Edo State.

It explained that a total of 3,661 PVCs were snatched in eight polling
units in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Baritor Kpagih,
who made this known while briefing journalists on the outcome of the
distribution exercise, said that the commission also lost 997 of the
cards in Etsako West and Ovia North-East local government areas of the
state.

Kpagih, who decried the cases of card theft despite warnings by the
commission that the PVCs could only be useful to their rightful
owners, however, stated that the matter had been reported to the
police, while the commission would also commence an internal
investigation.

"We also want to put it on record that we were a bit disappointed that
in spite of our appeal to all our people to recognise the fact that
stealing and snatching of cards will be of no use because these cards
can only be used by the card holder, such events still took place in a
number of local government areas.

"The most disturbing is the one that took place in Orhrionmwon Local
Government Area, where a total number of 3,661 cards were snatched
from eight polling units.

"The case has been reported to the police and we believe that the
Police will do a good job," he said.

The resident electoral commissioner attributed some of the challenges
recorded during the exercise to lateness of INEC workers at the units
and delayed training of members of staff.

He explained that the total number of cards meant for the state could
not be disclosed, as some of the cards brought to Edo were originally
meant for eligible voters in Jigawa, Kogi and Delta states.

While noting that the technical hitch might also be responsible for
the non-availability of the cards at some polling units in the state,
he assured the people that the commission would follow up so that
affected voters would get their cards.

Kpagih said that the continuous voter registration schedule to begin
on Wednesday (today), would be held at the various ward collation
centres in the state for persons who have turned 18, but have not
registered before or those who could not find their names in the
voters register.
--PUNCH