JUST IN: Hoodlums disrupt PVC collection in Edo

Hoodlums on Saturday disrupted the collection of Permanent Voter Card (PVCs) in many parts of Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

The disturbances in Benin, the state capital and its environs started on Friday.

INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Edo, Mr. Timidi Wariowei, condemned the development, as well as threats to the lives of officials of the commission.

He said: “INEC in Edo State has received reports of unruly incidents between January 6 and 7, 2023, which degenerated into the disruption of the collection of PVCs and threat to officials and materials in the following Registration Areas/Wards: Ward 01 at Iwogban/Uteh, Ward 05 at St. Saviour’s School, Ward 07 at Ugbekun, Ward 06 at Maria Goretti College, RA 09 at Obanyator, with Army Children’s School and Ogheghe health centres.

“INEC in Edo State has decided to move the collection centres for Wards 1 and 9 to the INEC’s Local Government’s office in Ikpoba/Okha, while the staff earlier withdrawn from Wards 5, 6 and 7 are making their ways back to their collection centres, to continue with the activity, on the assurances the Electoral Officer (EO) received from the leadership of the Department of State Services (DSS) of their presence in the locations.

“INEC has equally informed Edo Police Command of the situation.

“INEC wishes to remind citizens, especially community leaders, of the need to ensure the safety of INEC officials and materials, as deployed in the various communities, to ensure that every voter collects their PVCs and are able to vote in the election.”

Wariowei said PVCs will only be collected by the owners, and not through proxies.

He said 26,095 prospective voters collected their PVCs across the three senatorial districts of Edo between January 1 and 7.