INEC Releases 201,049 Uncollected PVCs In Plateau

Yakubu Busari

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Plateau state,  Mallam Hussein Halilu has  said ,Plateau State have 2,480,455 registered voters, a total number of  512,532 PVCs, of this number, 311,483 have been collected leaving a balance of 201,049 uncollected as at January 31 2019.

There are 2,631 Polling Units and 4,989 Voting Points. For the lDPs still living in the process especially between 2011 and 2015 general elections and subsequent bye elections.

The Commissioner at a Town Hall Meeting in Jos in preparation to the 2019 general elections said the commission has put in place necessary measures to ensure free, fair and credible elections come 16th February and 2nd March 2019, respectively.

The commissioner said many people have approached the commission and offered important suggestions and observation on how to  ensure hitch free exercise.

“Today’s meeting is taking place 13 days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections to be held on February 16th , 2nd of March 2019 for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

“We look back with appreciation, the support and goodwill that the Commission has enjoyed from Plateau Citizens and especially from major stakeholders, all of whom I can see represented here in the hall.

“Without your tremendous support, we would not have achieved the modest successes recorded so far. We are immensely grateful to all of you.

“Many of you have approached the Commission and offered important suggestions and observations on how to ensure hitch free exercise.

Many of you have equally been embarking on Voter Education and sensitization in partnership with the Commission, it is very important to our electoral process in particular and democracy in general in view of the high number of political parties fielding candidates in these elections.

“Through this collaborative effort, we have been able to put in place a process that will ensure: free, fair and credible elections. Our focus here today is to inform you of the innovations to the Electoral process.

“It is worthy of note that over the years, the Commission has introduced numerous innovations within the process especially between 2011 and 2015 general elections and subsequent by-elections. These innovations are responses to challenges observed in past elections with a view to building a better and stronger electoral process.

” The following are some of the innovations introduced: Biometric Register-of Voters, Permanent Voter Card with multiple security features, Modified Open Ballot System (REMOBS), which allows for transparent voting and result announcement procedures att polling units”.

“Continuous accreditation and voting, Improved security features on sensitive electoral materials( serial numbering and colour-coding of ballot papers and result sheets, as well as security coding of ballot boxes and customised ballot paper and result sheets)

“More transparent framework for result collation and results, More open and transparent procedures, modalities and processes on Election Day (i.e. pasting of results at polling units and collation centres) and intensified training and re-training of INEC staff. Enhanced Voter Education and citizen engagement”.

He added that the commission has already put in place, Election Risk Management, improved used of technology: DDC Machines, Card Reader, e-Accreditation and e-Collation, as well as Registration Area Centre (RAC)

Adding that an inter-Agency Committee on Election Security (ICCEB) who are saddled with the responsibility of providing enabling environment for the INEC to carry out their functions before during and after the elections is also in place.

“Also worthy of note is that INEC has in the last few months since release of the time table put in place measures to ensure hitch free exercise. We have had interactive sessions with different stakeholders, organised trainings with different segments of ad-hoc staff and security agencies who are scheduled to take part in the elections.

” I also wish to inform you that we have received and deployed non-sensitive materials from the Commission’s headquarter. We have put in place the RACs for ease of deploying sensitive materials on the eve of elections and other activities to ensure timely commencement of the election at 8:00 am prompt.

“We have in the State 2,480,455 registered voters, a total number of 512,532 PVCs. Of this number, 311,483 have been collected leaving a balance of 201,049 uncollected as at January 31st.

“There are 2,631 Polling Units and 4,989 Voting Points. For the lDPs still living in the camps, 26 centres have been created for them to vote so as to enable them exercise their franchise.

“As we get closer to the elections, we need you continued support in many ways especially continuous voter education and sensitization. We need to raise the awareness of citizens on the manifestos, logos, and acronyms of political parties in view of the large number of political parties in these elections. Similarly, we need to find ways of preventing and mitigating violence in these elections.

“I wish to assure you that the Commission shall remain focused on the goal of delivering free, fair, transparent and credible elections in the State. INEC is not a political party or its official’s rival candidate’.