By Joy Odor
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Monday informed that the soft copy of the final and comprehensive register of 184,438 new voters for Edo State Governorship election will be presented to each political party fielding candidates in the election tomorrow Tuesday 20th August 2024 in State office in Benin City.
Prof Yakubu who made this known to newsmen in his speech in Abuja
at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) as part of it’s preparations for the Edo State, said this is in fulfillment of item 10 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.
INEC Chairman noted that 184,438 voters of various categories were served by the Commission during the last CVR in Edo State and would be issued new voters’ cards (PVCs).
He explained that the Commission has developed a register containing, among other information, the names and photographs of the 184,438 voters to ease the collection of their PVCs.
According to him, the register has also been uploaded to its website to facilitate easy identification and collection of the cards.
Prof Yakubu warned Edo citizens that the Commission’s policy that PVCs must be personally collected by registered voters has not changed.
He challenged that their PVCs cards will not be distributed or collected by proxy so that they do not end up in the wrong hands.
“I am glad to report that all the cards have been printed and delivered to our office in Benin City. From there, they have been handed over to our Electoral Officers (EOs) for collection by voters.
“To ensure a seamless process, the cards will be available for collection in all the 192 Wards in the State where the last CVR took place from Thursday 22nd August 2024 to Monday 26th August 2024 from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily including the weekend.
“Thereafter, the collection will continue in our 18 Local Government offices across the State from Wednesday 28th August 2024 to Sunday 8th September 2024 from 9.00am to 5.00pm, including the weekends.
“Detailed information on the dates and location of the 210 centres (192 Wards and 18 LGA offices) has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.
. It is important to . We urge voters who took their time to register during the CVR to also take time to collect their PVCs in person and, most importantly, to come out on Election Day and vote for the party of their choice.
“The Commission is working on the schedule for the collection of PVCs in Ondo State. Our attention is focused on Edo State at the moment because the election is held next month.
“I want to assure the electorate in Ondo State that action is being taken in respect of the availability of their PVCs for the governorship election held in November this year. Very soon, the Commission will make available detailed arrangements for the collection of PVCs for all categories of voters from the recent CVR in the State.
“Let me also seize this opportunity to remind media organisations seeking to cover the Edo State Governorship election that the accreditation portal closes at 6.00pm on Thursday 5th September 2024.
As at this morning, 63 organisations have uploaded the details of 584 personnel for accreditation for the election. We urge all interested organisations that are yet to apply to note the deadline and act accordingly.
“Already, the Commission has published the final list of candidates, accredited observers as well as polling and collation agents. At the end of the deadline for media accreditation, the list of organisations and accredited personnel will also be published for public information” he said.
