Kogi Has Only 28% PVC Collection Rate- INEC

Several potential voters in Kogi State who registered have yet to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) for the 2023 general elections.

Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr Hale Longpet, disclosed this to newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday, adding that of the 293, 015 newly registered voters from 2019 to Nov., only 36, 357 persons have collected their PVCs representing only 28 per cent.

“Between 2019 and 2020 we registered 154, 984 voters but only 13, 689 voters collected their PVCs leaving.

“Again, between 2021 and July 2022 we (INEC) registered 38, 595 new voters but only 17, 413 voters came forth and collected their PVCs leaving behind 21, 182 PVCs uncollected.

“It is on this fact that we are calling on the public to endeavour to collect their PVCs now that the 2023 general elections are fast approaching,” he appealed.

Longpet explained that the number of registered voters in the state rose from 1. 6 million to 1. 9 million, but lamented that people were not collecting their PVCs.

He urged traditional rulers, religious and community leaders and political parties to persuade their members or wards to come forward for their PVCs in the various wards of the state so that they won’t be disenfranchised.