INEC To Nigerians: Your PVC is Your Political Meal Ticket, Handle It with Care

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday explained to Nigerians that their Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) were their voters’ meal tickets and should be handled with care. The National Commissioner of the commission in charge of Bauchi, Yobe and Borno States, Maj. Gen Modibo Alkali (rtd), stated this in Bauchi while addressing voters’ registrants in the state. Alkali, however, urged Nigerians to treat their PVCs as if they were part of their lives, adding that: "Ensure that you get your PVC and handle it as if it is part of your life. "Don't sell it to anybody because it is like your voter's meal ticket. You know why it is called a meal ticket? It is because you elect the person who can work for you in your future with it. "So, if you sell it or you throw it away, then you are selling or throwing away food that you are supposed to eat. So, I want all of you to understand the importance of that PVC." The national commissioner, who stated that INEC had been educating electorate to register for their PVCs, wondered why there were still more people on the queue for registration in Bauchi State. He said there was a timeline for INEC for the forthcoming 2023 general election, adding that the registration exercise was not just going over the counter to buy something and put in the pocket. According to him, "No, there are some processes. If you register, they have to print, display it for political parties and local government areas. "Also, there could be litigations along the line. So you have to allow INEC to do its job. If you don't register on time, then you will delay the work of INEC." Alkali also warned the electorate against double or multiple registration, saying whoever is caught in the act would be arrested and prosecuted. The national commissioner was in Bauchi State to monitor the end of the continuous voter registration. Some of the registration units he visited in the state included INEC headquarters in Bauchi; Kofaran, Ilelah street, INEC office in Dass Local Government Area as well as Karfin Madaki in Ganjuwa LGA of the state.