In order to prevent it from getting into the hands of unconscionable politicians, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resolved to destroy all Permanent Voter Cards not claimed by their owners.
The Resident Electoral Officer (REC) in Ondo State, Dr Rufus Akeju, who disclosed this in Akure, said it is to prevent the voter cards from being used to manipulate the 2019 elections.
Akeju said the Commission had made efforts in reaching out to all the affected electorate to visit the INEC offices to claim their voter’s cards before the Commission disposes of them.
Also, he said the electoral umpire would make a last effort in order to allow voters get their PVC before the commission takes a final decision on how to dispose them.
According to him, out of 1, 659, 186 registered voters in Ondo State, only 1, 288, 722 people have so far collected their PVCs, while about 370,464 PVCs still await collection.
Akeju said the burning process would be made open for all Nigerians to witness, assuring that the forthcoming general election would be free, fair and credible.
He said: “We are investigating the reason behind the large number of unclaimed voters’ cards. But from our preliminary investigation, we discovered that many National Youth Corp Service (NYSC) members who registered did not collect their PVCs.
“We also discovered that many students who registered have relocated while some of them have graduated. Several others have relocated from their states.”