By Joy Odor
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted claims that it is planning to destroy over six million uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) dating back to the 2015 voter registration exercise.
This was contained in a statement released on INEC official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
The statement described the report, initially published by an unnamed newspaper, as false and urged the public to disregard it.
According to the statement, the report is incorrect, adding that at no time did the Commission contemplate the destruction of uncollected PVCs.
The statement advised the general public to discountenance the story.
“Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper report that the Commission is contemplating the destruction of over six million uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) going back to the 2015 voter registration.
“Uncollected PVCs have been a recurring issue in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“Despite multiple efforts by INEC to encourage registered voters to collect their cards, millions remain unclaimed across the country.
“These uncollected cards have raised questions about what should be done with them, leading to speculations like the now-debunked report.
“INEC’s swift clarification underscores its commitment to maintaining transparency and addressing misinformation promptly.
“The Commission has consistently emphasized the importance of voter participation and has implemented strategies to ensure that eligible voters collect their PVCs before elections.
“The clarification has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media.
“While some commend INEC for addressing the misinformation, others have called for more robust public awareness campaigns to ensure higher PVC collection rates.
“As Nigeria gears up for future elections, the issue of uncollected PVCs remains critical.
“INEC is expected to intensify efforts to encourage voters to claim their cards and participate actively in the electoral process.
