The importance of permanent voters’ cards to the smooth conduct of next year’s election cannot be over- emphasised, hence the distribution exercise to prospective voters across the country. The last voters cards distribution exercise across the country raised a lot of dusts; many registered voters could not obtain their permanent voters cards for various reasons.
I appeal to Kogi State INEC to please make available the remaining voters cards to the people particularly as the former INEC resident commissioner while addressing the leadership of political parties in the state, admitted that a total of 1,189,355 permanent voters cards were received in the state, out of which only 755,777 have been distributed, representing 63.54 percent. The balance of 433,500 representing 36.46 percent is yet to be collected by electorates.
Kogi INEC should ensure they distribute the remaining voters cards before the election next year as the good people will not allow any flimsy excuse from INEC to deprive them of their right to exercise their franchise in the coming election.
The political parties should also be engaged in the efforts to make eligible voters collect their permanent cards for them to come out and votes the candidates of their choice.
The complaints associated with the current distribution of permanent voters cards should not in any way hamper the smooth conduct of the election.
Bala Nayashi,
Lokoja, Kogi State
