Every burnt PVC in Abia, Plateau will be reprinted before elections – INEC assures

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will reprint all the permanent voter cards (PVCs) burnt in its office in Qua’an Pan local government area of Plateau state.

It also said it has reprinted all the ones burnt in its office in Isiala Ngwa south local government area in Abia state, and delivered them for collection.

The two INEC offices were burnt in the space of one week.

While that of Abia was set ablaze by aggrieved persons, a drunk security man was said to have caused the fire outbreak in Plateau.

In a statement, INEC said while 2979 PVCs were burnt in Abia, the fire incident in Plateau affected 5987 uncollected PVCs, 380 voting cubicles, 755 ballot boxes, 14 generators, election forms and official stamps.

It said it has notified the inspector-general of police about the development and has also directed the resident electoral commissioner for Plateau to open a register for all those in the affected area who approach the commission to collect their PVCs within the specified period.

“The Commission will print the PVCs and make them available for collection in good time before the elections,” INEC said in the statement signed by Festus airman, information and voter education committee,” the statement read.

“The Commission will proceed as planned in the affected Local Government Areas and all the burnt materials will be replaced in good time and as such will not affect the conduct of the elections.

“All relevant security agencies have been requested to arrest and bring to justice, persons or groups involved in the attacks on the offices of the Commission.”

POLICE ORDER TIGHT SECURITY AROUND INEC FACILITIES

Meanwhile, Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police, has ordered security beefed-up around INEC facilities in all the states.

A statement from Frank Mba, police spokesman, read: “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu NPM, mni has ordered a comprehensive water-tight and round-the-clock security for all INEC offices and facilities nationwide.

“Consequently, Command Commissioners of Police in the thirty six states of the Federation and FCT have been directed to put in place adequate, functional and purposeful security arrangements aimed at protecting all INEC offices and materials from all forms of crimes and mischief- before, during and after the elections.

“Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) have also been mandated to monitor compliance level of Commands under their jurisdiction with this directive, and ensure that no breach of security of any kind occurs within and around INEC facilities under their watch. The order takes immediate effect.”