The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says anyone buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 general elections is wasting time, energy and resources.
The INEC National Commissioner in Charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye stated this in Ibadan at a training for journalists organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in collaboration with the INEC.
Mr Okoye, who was represented by the Deputy Director Gender and Inclusiveness Department, Mrs Ndidi Okafor while addressing the gathering, said the only thing that could disenfranchise any voter during the elections is identity theft.
Speaking during the training tagged ‘Conflict-Sensitive Reporting and the 2023 General Election’, Mr Okoye insisted that anyone buying PVCs was embarking on an exercise in futility.
He said journalists play critical roles in deepening democracy; hence the training at a time Nigeria was approaching another general election.
“It is not possible to snatch ballot boxes and ballot papers again. It is because of technology.
The only reason why some people will not vote is identity theft. What we are dealing with is the fingerprint and the face. So, if your finger did not match, then your face must match.
If your fingerprint did not match and your face did not match, then you cannot vote, that means you are not the owner of the PVC. That is identity theft.
Because media is a stakeholder, a critical stakeholder for that matter, So, I want to appeal to you the media, you are a stakeholder.”
While speaking, the President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Chief Chris Isiguzo advised journalists across the country to brace up for the challenges ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He warned journalists against any attempt to deviate from the ethics of the profession saying it would not augur well for the country.
Mr Isiguzo, who was represented by the NUJ National Trustee in Charge of Zone F, Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde, also hinted that the union was ready to work with INEC to ensure that democracy works properly in the country.
He said that the role of the media in Nigeria’s emerging democracy was crucial, insisting that media professionals must maintain the highest possible standards in their practice.
In a goodwill message, the INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Oyo State, Mr Abiodun Onikate-Amosu said that journalists were expected to have a thorough understanding of issues pertaining to elections.
Mr Onikate-Amosu added that this would help them convey details to citizens in simple and clear terms aimed at deepening democratic dividends.
Raheeda Makinde
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