Still On INEC’s Permanent Voter’s Card

It is no longer news that 2015 is elections year in
Nigeria. And the voter’s cards are the only tool the electorates have to vote in election to elect their political leaders. In 2011 electionsJ voter’s cards were in paper form. But now the Independent National Electoral Commission has prepared a permanent voters card and announced the dates of issuance in some states. Many Nigerians see it as a welcome development in the Nigeria’s electoral process. Indeed, INEC has convinced the electorates that this voter’s card shall be permanent and useful to every Nigerian adult in terms of transaction.
Thus, billions of naira was made for the provision of the voters’ card to every eligible Nigerian who are up to 18 years. But it is worrisome that nothing seems to be permanent in Nigeria; when it is called permanent. For Instance , in 2007 there was issuance of permanent voter’s card ‘s card. Today, Nigerians are convinced to receive another permanent voter’s card for elections come 2015.
The Independent National Electoral Commission should be independent at every point in time to use its materials issued for elections without invalidating them. It is observed that every election year comes with new innovations to spend the public fund. Indeed, the usefulness of this present voter’s card should be permanent and should be used in subsequent eiections in Nigeria. Nigerians need permanent voter’s card to avoid stress and man- power loss during distribution of voter’s card. Independent National Electoral Commission has offices in 774 local government areas in the country. And therefore the offices should be functional to attend to the need of those who want to register before and after elections.
Indeed, if the permanent voter’s card is maintained and properly used during elections it will cut down some of the lofty expenses of the commission and reduce logistic problems often witnessed by INEC. It is obvious that Nigerians want to vote. But the Independent National Commission should put necessary materials in place to avoid the repeat of the previous experience.
The distribution of permanent voter’s card to electorates should be the litmus test to showcase how the 2015 elections would look like. ‘The hiccups witnessed during the distribution of voter’s card in some states should be avoided in subsequent states . Especially,. the issue of logistic, late arrival of materials to the polling units and ad-hoc personnel or INEC staff should be addressed on time. Nigerians expect to vote in 2015 general elections in convivial atmosphere devoid of crises. The voting process should be free of intimidation and threat to life.
Indeed, as a matter of fact, INEC has all it takes to be an unbiased umpire during 2015 elections. But the beginning of the process is the distribution of permanent card. INEC should not disenfranchise some Nigerians by omitting their names from the register. Because according to Independent National Electoral Commission, anybody who does not have the permanent voter’s card would not be allowed to vote. Therefore, INEC should stick to its guide lines: to do the right thing for Nigerians.
In Rivers State, the citizens are waiting to receive their voter’s cards as INEC has earlier postponed the distribution of permanent voter’s card in the state. Initialy, INEC announced to distribute the voter’s card in 7 Local government areas which  included, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ogu-Bolo,     Okrika, Oyigbo,Omuma, Bonny and Tai. According to press release by INEC, a new date will be slated for all the 23 LGAs, which means there will be collective distribution of the permanent voter’s card in all local Government Area of Rivers State. It is clear that elections are by the corner and every politician is fighting hard to woo electorates for support. Nigerians need this permanent voter’s card and ‘credible elections because of the timing.
Indeed, INEC should not allow politicians to influence its policies to avoid failure of the distribution and the 2015 general elections. Nigerians are watching the trend of things. Every-eligible Nigerian should collect the voter’s card. No voter’s card no voting.

Ogwuonuonu writes from Port Harcourt.

Frank Eneawaji Ogwuonuonu