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Meanwhile, reactions have trailed reports of proliferation of PVCs, with some Nigerians calling on INEC to explain the source of PVCs found in the hands of individuals to instil confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Mark Gbilah, said Nigerians should be concerned about the integrity of INEC machines that will be deployed for the elections, as well as the general preparedness of the commission
Speaking with our correspondent last night, the lawmaker who represents Gwer East/Gwer West federal constituency of Benue State in the Green Chamber, noted that if INEC does not have explanation for the anomaly, the commission should prompt relevant security agencies to commence an immediate investigation to unravel the mystery.
“INEC must explain to Nigerians how individuals manage to secure these hundreds of voter cards because they continue to play the Ostrich, which is not right. If INEC cannot explain it, the commission should invite relevant security agencies to carry out a full investigation,” he said.
The lawmaker also alleged that some politicians, particularly in Benue State have been going around collecting voter cards from eligible voters with the intention to corrupt the cards and prevent the BVAS machine from recognising such cards.
“We have also been informed that some politicians are collecting PVCs numbers from eligible voters with the sole aim of corrupting the numbers so that the BVAS will not recognise the cards.
“INEC should begin to enlighten eligible voters not to allow anyone collect their voter cards to the serial number of their cards,” he added.
Gbilah had in July moved a motion urging the House to investigate INEC process of voter’s registration including alleged constraints on timely procurement/production of voter’s cards.
Similarly, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has called on INEC to remain resolute in its determination to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), saying with the device the cards will be useless in the hands of multiple card holders.
CDD said INEC is on the right path by insisting on the use of modern technology for the 2023 elections and also discarding the use of incident forms.
A senior CDD programme officer, Austin Aigbe, while speaking with LEADERSHIP yesterday in Abuja, said with BVAS it will be very difficult for anybody to use such cards except it their own.
“INEC should put its BVAS machine to use. INEC must not go back to its archaic method of manual voting. In North West for instance there are reported cases where PVCs are forcefully collected from voters,” he said.
In such cases, he said such thugs threaten residents and collect their PVCs.
He added: “So, this implies that they didn’t collect these PVCs from INEC, however, if they are collecting them from INEC it will disenfranchise many Nigerians. This will lead to cases where people will go to INEC offices to collect their PVCs they won’t access their PVCs for collection.
“This issue stresses the fact that INEC must maintain its stands and ensure that they use BVAS during the 2023 election.
“They should insist on accreditation before voting. Sadly, these persons can only reduce the votes of eligible voters because they won’t find their cards.”
He urged Nigerians to report anybody found with multiple PVCs.
“Nigerians should continue to blow the whistle of people found with multiple PVCs.
“I also think they feel we are still in 2019 where if you fail electronic accreditation you will use the incident form to vote and in certain areas, you will see people voting en masse it won’t work this time,” he added.
Also, Nigerian representative of African Students Union Parliament (ASUP) Comrade James Uneze, however said the parliament has expressed confidence in the chairman of INEC and the Commission for its readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible election.
Uneze urged INEC to strengthen security in its offices nationwide.
He said that those with multiple PVCs should be aware that it won’t earn them any results as INEC would conduct the 2023 general election with BVAS in which every electorate must be identified with fingerprint.
He added that BVAS will help in minimizing electoral fraud.