Ahead of the General Elections and to facilitate the speedy collection of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVC), the Abia state government has declared Monday, and Tuesday as public holidays.
The declaration by the State government is a reaction to the difficulties encountered by the electorates in the collection of their PVCs.
Barr. Chris Ezem, who is the Secretary to Abia State Government revealed that Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu approved Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th January 2023 to be declared as public holidays in order to enable residents collect their cards
“all public offices and markets are to be closed as all are enjoined to use this opportunity to visit the INEC offices or collection centers where they registered to collect their PVCs ahead of the 29th January 2023 deadline by INEC for closure of PVC collection.” He said.
According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), many people have been reacting negatively to how INEC officials extort money from them before they can be given their Permanent Voters Cards.
NAN reports that some residents of Aba have accused some INEC officials of collecting N500 from prospective voters before issuing them their cards.
Mrs. Ijeoma Bernard said she was asked to pay N500 as a “verification fee” before she was given her card.
Also, Nwanyioma Enyinnaya explained that the INEC officials refused to attend to her because she could not pay.
Mrs. Iheanaetu Roseline expressed worries that her card could not be found after the stress she passed through to get registered.
Reacting, the INEC’s Head of, the Public Affairs Unit in Abia, Mr. Bamidele Oyetunji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the commission frowns at receiving or demanding gratification from the public while performing their duties
“Our staff members do not need to search for anything on the internet. All they need to do is to give people their voter cards.
“Anybody whose card is not found or those with challenges should be given a note to verify online by themselves,” Oyetunji said
However, NAN reports that residents from Osisioma and Aba North Local Government Areas, have turned out en masse to collect their cards.
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