The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received reports that some political leaders are asking members of the public to disregard its stated resolve to use Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and Smart Card Readers (SCRs) for the April 11, 2015 Governorship and State Assembly elections.
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
Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) if they do not have the PVC, and that INEC will
not be allowed to insist on the use of SCRs 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 SCRs for the April 11 elections will be strictly applied. Any action
infringing these guidelines will be an electoral offence, and security agents
will be on hand to apprehend offenders.
The Commission commends
Nigerian voters for their peaceful conduct and exemplary resilience, even in
the face of minor challenges, during the Presidential and National Assembly
elections on March 28, 2015. 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.
Meanwhile,
the Commission has assigned the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Kogi
State, Alhaji Hussaini Halilu Pai, to supervise the conduct of the Governorship
and State Assembly elections in Kano State, following the tragic demise of
Alhaji Minkala Abdullahi last weekend. Before his posting as
FCT REC, Alhaji Pai was Ekiti State REC, who conducted the Governorship
Election of June 21, 2014.
Kayode Robert Idowu
Chief Press Secretary to
INEC Chairman