As The Deadline For Collection Of PVCs Draw Close…

As the deadline for the registration of voters for the upcoming 2023 elections comes to a close in two days, residents of Rivers State and its environs are once again encouraged to ensure they are not left behind. The importance of the PVC cannot be overemphasized as the country marches towards another milestone in its democratic process with the presidential, governorship as well as national and state assembly elections just around the corner. It is, therefore, imperative for all eligible adults, especially those residing in Rivers State, to take advantage of this ample opportunity to go to their respective constituencies/registration centres to register and collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs). Those who had registered before now but have lost their cards or those whose places of residence had changed can also take advantage of the period to locate registration centres close to them to perfect their PVC registration or transfer their registrations where necessary.
Prior to the announcement of the new deadline, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had said that the commission was targeting to register 20million Nigerians across the nation to add to the present pool of registered voters in readiness for the 2023 elections. He assured the nation that those registering in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) by October, 2022.
In several parts of the country, including Rivers State, the registration and collection of PVCs are abysmally low. Even with the narratives surrounding the 2023 general election and the attendant interests it seemed to be generating, people still put up very passive attitude towards the registration and collection of PVCs. This position was made known by no less a person than the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Delta, Cross River, and Rivers states, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt recently. So far, Rivers State has registered about 372,406 voters to increase its 2019 tally of 3.21million voters to 3,587,679 as at the end of June, 2022. This is the best in the South-South region, and 4th in the country behind Lagos, Kano and Kaduna states, respectively. We should not rest on our oars, a lot more still needs to be done and the time to do it is now!
Perhaps, in our typical ‘Nigerian’ style, people are waiting to rush to registration centres at the very last minute of the exercise, where in most cases, the effort might prove futile. One would have expected Nigerians to have learnt from the National Identity Number (NIN) linking to their mobile numbers. After several campaigns and deadlines, it is on record that several Nigerians had their mobile lines barred from making calls, thereby leading to influx of subscribers at NIMC registration centres and mobile telecom operators’ outlets. One would have expected that people learn their lessons from that experience and avoid the 11th hour fire brigade approach to issues. A local adage has it that it is only the deaf that is trampled to death by the elephant.
For the avoidance of doubt, the law prescribes a certain period for the conclusion of all registrations and review of voters’ register to be used for an election. It is, therefore, worthy of note, that this registration window has to come to a close and residents should take advantage to make hay while the sun shines.
For those who have registered, the level of collection is nothing to write home about, especially in Rivers State. From INEC sources, out of 54,945 that have been received, only 10,373 have so far been collected. As if this picture is not grim enough, recently, some PVCs were ‘found’ in the drainage within the capital city. Although the matter has been handed over to the security agencies for proper investigation, this ugly incident may not have occurred if people were claiming their PVCs promptly.
One would not fail to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their determination to ensure that the Continuous Voter Registration is sustained over a period of time, to ensure that no Nigerian is disenfranchised during the forthcoming general election in 2023. In this regard, INEC dedicated a portal for a two-step registration process. Prospective registrants login to pre-register by providing their basic biodata. At the second step, the registration is completed as the registrants physically present themselves at a designated centre. This stage will involve capturing of finger prints and photographs.
Since the commencement of this phase of the continuous voter registration in 2017, INEC has looked at ways to make the process easier, more accessible and user-friendly to prospective voters to register. That much said, it is not yet uhuru for the electoral body as some of its policy somersaults do more harm than good to the process. A case in point is the sudden change in the position of the commission to halt the registration process on July 31 as against the earlier promise to continue the registration indefinitely. This sudden change gives a cause for worry and concern to most Nigerian voters. One wonders whose interest this volte-face decision by INEC will serve, even though the commission had posited that the decision to halt the process was consequent on the judicial pronouncement by the Federal High Court that recognised the powers of INEC to schedule voter registration as long as it is not later than 90 days before the general election in compliance with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022.
There is need also, for INEC to look into the myriads of complaints emanating from the various registration centres bordering on the ineptitude of its staff and extortion. In some centres in Rivers State, some persons were arrested by the DSS for extorting money from persons who want to register. The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State was quick to state that the persons arrested were not INEC officials; and urged members of the public to report any act of irregularity to the commission. There is also the case of non-availability of registration officials at designated centres, thereby subjecting people to wait endlessly at registration centres. Shortage of registration machines and equipment is another case in point that needs to be addressed by INEC. The commission needs to create more registration points to attend to the teeming population that seeks registration, and ensure that international best practices are maintained during the CVR registration to ensure that Nigerians are not disenfranchised.
People need to be well-informed that registered PVC does not expire in any way as being touted in some quarters, thereby making people to be involved in double registration. It is imperative to note that double registration leads to the cancellation of both registrations as INEC Voter’s System recognises and deletes both entries.
At this home stretch, all eligible voters should complement the efforts of INEC to ensure that the opportunity does not pass them by to register. For all those who fail to register will be mere ‘spectators’ in the forthcoming electoral process. All stakeholders in the process should not relent in ensuring adequate compliance. The media should re-double its efforts at sensitising the masses. Religious leaders on their part, should enlighten their congregation on the need for their ‘votes to count’ in 2023, with the registration and collection of their PVC as a prerequisite. Some have already been recorded to take the front burner in ensuring their congregants do the needful in the registration and collection of their PVCs. That is commendable, but more needs to be done. Opinion leaders should not be left out in this onerous task of ensuring that Rivers State is PVC ‘compliant’ before the curtain finally draws to a close.
The 23 local government chairmen should, as a matter of urgency, mobilise their people at the grassroots to ensure they are brought up-to-date in the PVC registration and collection effort. They should, as a matter of urgency, liaise with INEC to ensure that the last gasp efforts are hitch-free and their people optimally registered. The same goes for the political parties to galvanise efforts at ensuring that their members take full advantage of the process before close of the process.
‘Rivers State is a great state, that’s not in doubt, but it can only remain great if we all do our part’. To do our part is by encouraging ourselves and neighbours to go out and register and collect our PVCs to actively participate in the forthcoming general election in 2023. That is the only way to consolidate on the gains so far achieved, especially in the present administration’s dividend of democracy and political gains. Get your PVC! A stitch in time saves…
Nelson, a public affairs analyst, is of the Public Enlightenment Dept, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Port Harcourt.

By: Davies Christian Nelson