Bayelsa governor election: INEC starts distributing PVCs to wards and local governments

Permanent Voter Cards, or PVCs, are now being distributed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, in Bayelsa State to eligible voters at the INEC headquarters and 15 residential areas and wards throughout the state.

According to information obtained by OBASANJO NEWS24, the distribution of about 33,606 cards, which began on Monday, September 12th, will continue for one month before the November 11 general election.

The State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Obo Effanga, briefed reporters at the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu Media Centre, INEC, Yenagoa, and stated that while the collection will take place in local government areas, registration areas with more than 500 PVCs still outstanding will be open for eligible voters to pick up their own.

Additionally, he exhorted the 16 political parties that were running guber candidates to engage directly with voters and canvass for support rather than relying solely on INEC to win the election. He added that this was the only way they could do it.

“Nobody should depend on INEC for victory,” Effanga declared. “I told them that in a recent workshop.” The only way anyone will prevail in the upcoming election is if their parties successfully canvass voters’ support. Consult the voters.

“Election preparations are in full swing, and I’m telling Bayelsans that INEC will make every effort to hold a very good election in accordance with what the constitution, electoral statutes, and election guidelines indicate.

We will not use any measures to help anyone win an election since the only way anyone can win an election is through their campaigns to the people. We’ll make sure every worker assigned to the field is suitably qualified and extremely educated about the electoral procedures.

“Trainings have begun, and meetings with security agencies are underway. We will make sure that all 105 wards and 2244 polling places in the state receive the materials. The deployment of materials to the areas will be ensured.

“Most of the non-sensitive materials have already been placed in the places where the elections will take place as of right now. When they arrive, the delicate supplies will be shipped there as well.

“Our strategy is to move quickly and be on time in difficult-to-reach regions to avoid disenfranchising anyone. We won’t arrive at a location earlier than planned because we are also concerned about security, protecting our equipment and staff. All of it is being taken into account as we manage our deployment.