The Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Barrister Mutiu Agboke has revealed that over 600,000 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), are yet to be collected in the state.
Agboke, who made this declaration on Wednesday while addressing stakeholders at a Forum held in Ibadan, also called on citizens and stakeholders in the state to directly engage the commission in its quest to deliver credible, free and fair election come 2019.
Agboke said “Our electoral system had been used to periodic registration as against the continuous one embarked upon by the current leadership of the commission.
“Since the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the state, the Commission has registered about 146,795 voters; 75,683 males and 67,145 females.
“However, the total number of over 600,000 PVCs are still uncollected. This is disturbing and disheartening considering the fact that registration cannot be done by proxy. I believe we all know that collection of PVC is much easier than Voter registration. This is a challenge for all the stakeholders.”
While assuring the stakeholders of a credible elections in the state, Agboke promised a level playing ground for all parties that would be involved in the elections.
He said “We will build upon the existing level playing field, shun favouritism, ensure cordial relationship, encourage Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and practice all-embracing open door policy. Since INEC cannot do it all alone, the support, cooperation and assistance of all stakeholders are germane to ensuring free, fair and credible general elections come 2019.”
He then urged participants against hate speeches noting that “you need to start educating and re-educating your members. We must get it right together.”
He assured them that the door of the Commission was open to stakeholders without restriction, challenging them to “monitor our activities, seek clarifications where necessary. Avoid insinuations and unfounded allegations, we should avoid any act of destabilizing ourselves politically”.
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