Jang Drags INEC to Court over Skewed Distribution of PVCs

1

Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang said he has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over skewed distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to his state, and warned INEC not to destroy the hard earned democracy.

PVC voters card

Speaking with newsmen in Jos, Jang, who was expressed disappointment with the poor distribution of the card in his state and other parts of the country, noted that the issue has started generating controversy among political parties, especially between the ruling party and the main opposition party.

“If these elections were held on the 14th of February, can we sincerely say INEC was ready? There are several areas in Plateau State that have not received their PVC; not that these PVCs are in Abuja, but based on what I have been told, they have not been printed.

“What is the guarantee that these PVCs would get to Nigeria before 8th of March deadline for collection? Honestly, we appreciated Prof. Attahiru Jega when he conducted the 2011 elections, but whether some people are sabotaging him and he is not aware of this, only God in heaven knows.

“But when these PVCs came to Jos North, one section got theirs and other did not, in Jos south the same thing happened, and indeed other places,” he added.

Jang, who said he has gone to court to compel INEC to allow usage of Temporary Voters Cards (TVCs) if the commission is unable to provide the PVCs, added that he would announce to the people of his state to go to their respective polling centres with their TVCs if the commission is unable to provide their PVCs before the March 8 deadline date for collection.

While charging all the political parties to mount more pressure on INEC to do the right thing and expedite action on the provision of the cards, the Governor advised them to stop playing unnecessary politics with the issue.

A cross section of Jos residents that spoke with THISDAY equally expressed dissatisfaction with the PVC distribution in the state. A resident, Mr Clinton Garuba, said, “I have repeatedly gone for my card for over five times now, and all they kept telling me was that my card was ready but they can’t find it; only God knows what that means.”

Viewed 1 times
Jang Drags INEC to Court over Skewed Distribution of PVCs