Using temporary voter card for polls constitutes offence – INEC

INEC said only voters with the Permanent Voter Cards would be allowed to vote, dispelling a call by a north-central governor urging electorates otherwise. This is just as INEC said it has directed the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hussaini Halilu Pai to oversee and conduct the tomorrow’s polls in Kano, following the death […]

INEC said only voters with the Permanent Voter Cards would be allowed to vote, dispelling a call by a north-central governor urging electorates otherwise.
This is just as INEC said it has directed the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hussaini Halilu Pai to oversee and conduct the tomorrow’s polls in Kano, following the death of the state’s REC, Munkaila Abdullahi in a fire accident last weekend.
The commission, in a statement yesterday by the spokesperson of the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu, frowned at such orders from a political leader, and warned that police would not hesitate to arrest whoever appears with TVC for election tomorrow.
“A particular state governor in the North Central geo-political zone is reported to have assured voters in the state that they could come out to vote on Election Day with TVCs if they do not have the PVC, and that INEC will not be allowed to insist on the use of card readers for voter accreditation.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to disregard false assurances that contradict the regulations INEC has outlined for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
“The Commission reaffirms that only voters with genuine PVCs should come out to the polling units on Election Day, and that guidelines issued on the use of card readers for the April 11 elections will be strictly applied,” it stated.
The electoral body added that any action infringing on the stated guidelines would constitute an electoral offence by any person found culpable.
Resilience of the Nigerian voters to remain peaceful despite the recorded challenges during the presidential polls was exemplary and deserves commendation, the commission said.
“It, however, considers it unfortunate that some leaders would misguide the public and thereby prepare ground for needless disruptions to the polling process on April 11.
“INEC hereby warns that any obstruction to the processes it has put in place for the elections by any person, no matter how highly placed, will constitute an electoral offence punishable in law,” added the commission.