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The Independent National Electoral Commission has lost 4,503 permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) to hoodlums in five local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Austin Okojie has said.
Of the 4,503 PVCs snatched, Abak local government area lost 664; Ikono 96, Mkpat Enin, 208; Oruk Anam, 2333; and Ukanafun 1202 to Hoodlums. Okojie who addressed traditional rulers during a state summit on peaceful conduct of 2015 election in Uyo on Tuesday revealed that 1,468,780 permanent voter’s cards were sent to the state, “We had a security issue where a total of 4,503 of the permanent voter’s cards were snatched during the exercise in five local government area of Akwa Ibom State”, he said. Resenting status of the PVC distribution, he stated that 1,177,910 representing 80% of PVC have been distributed, leaving a balance of 284,915 to be claimed. Okojie urged the traditional rules in the state to ensure free, fair, peaceful and credible election by using their position to appeal to members of their communities to go for their cards between now and next four weeks to enable them exercise their voting right during the forthcoming elections.
The Federal Commissioner however said that with the introduction of card readers to authenticate real card owners of each voting card, no snatched card will be useful during the elections as defaulters would be screened out of the exercise.
Culled from Punch.
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