From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara State has disclosed that it has distributed 711, 920 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) out of 1, 032, 970 received.
The electoral body stated that the figure represents 69 per cent of the total PVCs collected.
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo who disclosed this at the stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin yesterday said that the cards of those who participated in the continuous voters’ registration are being processed.
The REC added that two polling units in Ekiti Local Government which PVCs were snatched are being processed for replacement in due course, and urged all and sundry to collect their card, saying those without card would not be allowed to vote.
While speaking on the Kaiama bye-election, the REC said after consultation, it was resolved that the general election had overtaken it.
It would be recalled that the lawmaker representing the constituency, Hon. Haliru Mohammed died in June 2014, and his position at the Kwara State House of Assembly was vacant.
Onucheyo who urged political parties and politicians in the state to conduct themselves according to the electoral rules, said the 16 gubernatorial candidates and their party chairmen would be made to sign a peace accord on Saturday.
He appealed to all stakeholders in the state to discharge their responsibilities towards a free and fair and peaceful election.
Speaking on behalf of the police, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salihu Garuba who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr.Zanna Ibrahim said the police are committed to a peaceful exercise.
On his part, the state Director of State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Tanimu Alkali also promised that security agencies would be neutral, fair and professional in their conduct.
The SSS Director who noted that thuggery has been one of the problems in the state, stressing that anybody caught with weapons, no matter how highly placed would be decisively dealt with, and appealed to politicians to educate their supporters to be peaceful.
The stakeholders’ session was attended by representatives of political parties, security agencies, labour unions, among other stakeholders.
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