INEC Extends the PVC Collection Deadline

The electoral arbiter had previously set the deadline for January 22nd, Sunday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for collecting Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to Sunday, January 29, 2023.

The date set by the person in charge of the election was Sunday, January 22, 2023.

But on Thursday, after a meeting, INEC said that the deadline had been pushed back by eight days.

“The Commission is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that registered voters have plenty of time to obtain their PVCs prior to the upcoming election.” The period for collecting PVCs has been extended by eight days as a result, according to Festus Okoye, national commissioner for INEC.

“The collection of PVCs will last until Sunday, January 29, 2023, rather than concluding on Sunday, January 22, 2023.” Currently, collection hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including weekends.

So, the place-based collection will need to be changed as follows, he said, adding that the change shows:

1. From Monday, January 16 through Sunday, January 22, 2023, collection is prolonged by one each week at the registration area (ward) level.

2. Local government collection will start up again from Monday, January 23 through Sunday, January 29, 2023.

He says that the Commission is looking into claims that INEC officials have been taking money from Nigerians at sites where PVCs are collected.

“Those found responsible will face discipline and/or legal action,” Okoye continued.

“Similarly, claims of discriminatory PVC issuance in some regions alarm the Commission.” It’s illegal to do this. Every legitimate registrant has the right to receive their PVCs and to use them to cast their ballots on election day in any location across the nation where they are registered.

The directive says, “Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have been told to make sure that these kinds of activities don’t happen anywhere in the country and to take swift disciplinary action against those who do.”