A non-governmental organization, Standup for Women Society (SWS), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify sensitization on permanent voters card (PVC) collection and the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
SWS made the call in Lokoja during its street-wide advocacy to encourage the registered voters to collect their PVCs and exercise their franchise at the polls.
The SWS team, led by the State Chairperson, Muslimat Itopa, expressed concern over millions of PVCs still lying on the desks of INEC across the country.
The Kogi State chapter said they have decided to go on the streets and markets within Lokoja, the state capital, to canvass and encourage the registered electorate to go get their permanent voter’s cards.
Muslimat said the era of snatching ballot boxes or causing violence to disrupt votes is over with the introduction of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by INEC. She insisted that all Nigerians’ votes will count in the coming polls.
The SWS team led by both state and national executives went to Computer Village in Ganaja, Lokongoma and Kpata markets all within Lokoja, the state capital, to educate the people on the importance of collecting their permanent voter cards (PVCs) as well as enlighten them on how the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System works.
Some electorate also expressed worries about how to use BVAS, where to collect their PVCs and the duration of collection which INEC has extended to Sunday, January 29, 2023.
The SWS team, who explained to them in English, Ebira, Igala, Hausa and Okun languages, called on INEC to do more sensitization, especially on the use of BVAS in marketplaces and in major gathering areas where women and young men are occupied with trades.
SWS also volunteered to join INEC to go places to sensitize people on the use of BVAS before the February and March elections in the country.
Stand up for women is a non-governmental organisation whose objectives and responsibilities include the education and sensitization of women about happenings in the society, helping women to fight against injustice and abuse in society.
The state Chairperson, Muslimat Itopa with other members took turns to address the challenges some people face with BVAS and the collection of PVC after listening to their complaints.
” Chinedu and Onoja among many said ” wife and I can not collect our own because the INEC said they can not find our names. I beg the INEC to please get our PVCs, we want to vote.
Some persons who registered within Lokoja and Ajaokuta wards also complained.
They want INEC to print their PVCs for them.
After listening to would-be voters who were discouraged about how the INEC system works, they were glad the SWS came to them. They promised to visit INEC, their wards, and polling units again to collect their PVC.
