The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
warned that anyone buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023
general elections is wasting his or her time, energy and resources.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and
Publicity, Festus Okoye said this at a training for journalists organised by
the Nigeria Union of Journalists in collaboration with the INEC in Ibadan, Oyo
State on Wednesday.
Okoye who was represented by the Deputy Director in charge
of the gender department, Ndidi Okafor while addressing the gathering said the
only reason why many people will not vote during the elections is identity
theft.
Speaking at the training centred on conflict-sensitive
reporting and the 2023 general election, Okoye insisted that anyone buying PVCs
is embarking on an exercise in futility.
He said journalists play critical roles in deepening
democracy, hence the training at a time Nigeria is approaching another general
election.
Okoye said, “Anyone buying PVC is embarking on effort in
futility. It is an effort in futility. Futility exercise.
“It is not possible to snatch ballot boxes and ballot papers
again. It is because of technology. The only reason why some people will not
vote is identity theft. What we are dealing with is the fingerprint and the
face.
“So, if your finger did not match, then your face must
match. If your fingerprint did not match and your face did not match, then you
cannot vote, that means you are not the owner of the PVC. That is identity
theft.
“Because media is a stakeholder, a critical stakeholder for
that matter. So, I want to appeal to you the media, you are a stakeholder.
“Let me say it again, the only reason why some people will
not vote during the elections is identity theft. So, we enjoin you to be part
of this education to sensitise the public. We need you to ensure accurate
reportage”.
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