From. Sadiq Abubakar Maiduguri
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yobe State said it has so far recorded 88 % distribution of the permanent voters cards (PVCs) in the volatile Yobe state, north-east Nigeria.
The resident electoral commissioner in the state Mr. Habu Zarma who disclosed this to newsmen in a meeting with political stakeholders in Damaturu the state capital also said INEC will intensify distribution of the remaining cards to cover the 12 % yet to be covered.
The resident electoral commissioner in the state Mr. Habu Zarma said the success recorded so far by the commission in the PVCs distribution across the state is a clear indication that people of the state are gearing up for the election.
He expressed regrets that majority of the cards puts at 22,000 yet to be claimed are from Damaturu the state capital and called on the inhabitants to come for their cards which will be the only prerequisite for exercising their franchise.
The commissioner who introduced the political stakeholders to the Card Reader machines urged them to discourage their people from buying the PVCs from the voters as the technology will disqualify such impersonation or rigging.
Mr. Habu Zarma disclosed also that 1.3 million people of the state were initially registered during the voters card exercise but some were disqualified for multiple registrations as the figure has been trimmed to 1.1 million.
The postponement of the election he said will give the INEC more room for refresher training for the political stakeholders, and electoral officers among others to increase their perfection in the electoral process ahead of the election.
The resident electoral commissioner further implored the political stakeholders to desist from violence before, during and after the election and to work assiduously for the success of the exercise.
