PVC COLLECTION DEADLINE: EBONYI RESIDENTS CROWD REGISTRATION CENTRES

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Prospective voters have been trooping into various registration centres in Ebonyi State as they seek to beat the June 30, 2022 deadline to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of 2023 general election.

As a result of the development, many spend days being on the queue to get registered while others withdraw to their homes out of frustration.

Radio Nigeria observed that since the launch of Continuous Voter Registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in 2021, many residents of South East zone, especially the youth, seemed not to be interested in obtaining
their cards to exercise their franchise.

In the last two weeks, the story has changed with people of voting age walking into nearest registration centres to be captured or have their cards revalidated and transferred to their preferred polling stations.

However, this last minute effort is not without sacrifice as many complained of spending days at registration centres to have their turn.

Investigations reveal that the number of persons seeking to register increased rapidly after the conclusion of party primaries, which produced various Presidential candidates while hashtag ”#obtainyourPVC#” has been trending.

Two respondents described the online campaigns as significant in influencing many youths to obtain their cards and participate in choosing their leaders.

Worried by a report from various Local Government Areas in the state, Governor David Umahi directed all public office holders in the state to travel home and lead the campaign for massive registration, noting that apart from Afikpo South where 71,000 newly registered voters were recorded, other council areas had nothing to show.

The Council Chairman, Dr. Eni Uduma, called for the extension of time to enable those in the hinterlands to register.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ebonyi State, Mr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, said INEC in the state had received and deployed additional eight machines to support 38 others already in the field.

The Head Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Ebonyi State, Dr. Christian Elekwa, called on those who had registered in previous exercise to avoid double registration as PVC does not expire as being insinuated in some quarters.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU