INEC Fixes July 23 For Kogi Re-Run, Insists On PVC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday indicated its preparedness to conduct the July 23 re-run elections in the affected local government areas and wards in Kogi State.


This was as INEC insisted on the use of Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) for accreditation of the voters.

Addressing newsmen at a media briefing on the plans ahead of the rerun elections at the INEC Conference Hall in Lokoja, the state capital, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Samuel Madaki Usman, however, recalled that the first re-run elections in the affected areas were marred by thuggery and violence, and other acts contrary to the commission’s recalled for elections.

It will be gathered that as a result of the development, the re-run elections into Kogi East Senatorial District, Ofu and Idah Constituencies, which were marred by violence were declared inconclusive by the electoral umpire.

“Therefore, INEC after due consultation with relevant stakeholders both at the state and national levels on the conditions precedent for the peaceful repeat re-run election in the district and constituencies, and based on outcome of meetings, rescheduled July 23 for the conduct of the re-run election,” he said. While urging the electorate to be of good conduct during and after the election, Usman warned those without valid PVCs to keep off the voting areas as security agencies will be on ground to check and forestall violence and activities of the miscreants.

He added: “We would like to reiterate that ‘No Permanent Voter Cards, no voting’. Therefore, anybody, who has no business with the process should steer clear of the polling booths and collation centres. The security agencies have also vowed to secure the election materials and deal decisively with hoodlums who might want to disrupt the process.”

According to the REC, a total of 140,297 out of 643,559 registered voters will participate in the exercise, a total of 1,390 Adhoc staff will be engaged in the exercise.