TheCable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is overwhelmed by the rush of voters to collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

In an interview with NAN on Friday, Ndidi Okafor, head, voter education, publicity, gender and civil society in Abuja, said the commission is doing all it could to distribute PVCs in Abuja before the February 8 deadline.

Okafor said the commission had been distributing in all wards of the six area councils in the federal capital territory (FCT).

“We had earlier appealed to residents to come and collect theirs to discourage the 11th hour rush syndrome, but they did not come, now they are putting pressure on everybody,” she said.

“One of our staff was injured and most of them cannot even take break to eat due to the pressure from the people, so we are working on seeking assistance of the police in all the collection centres to maintain order.

“The February 8 deadline is sacrosanct and there won’t be extension that is why we have extended the collection time from between 9am and 3pm to between 9am and 4pm. daily.”

Okafor appealed to residents to be orderly in the queues so they can collect their cards on time.

She said the commission would distribute PVCs on Saturday, January 19. and Sunday, January 20, to enable workers collect theirs.

The INEC official said complaints of those whose names were omitted had been noted and have been sent to the headquarters for redress.

She said their PVCs would be produced for collection before the deadline.

Okafor said the commission has two PVC hotlines- 08153162663 and 08188241666, advising those who have complaints to call.