How Can INEC Help 2011 Registered Voters?

As the build up to the country's general elections slated for March 28 and April 11 continues, many Nigerians have started grabbing their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) across country to enable them exercise their franchise on D-day.

It becomes imperative to beam the search light on registered voters who have not yet lay hands on their PVCs, especially those that registered in 2011.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently released figures that the total number of registered voters were 68,833,476, while the numbers of voters who have collected their PVCs were placed at 52,233,396, making the percentage of cards collected so far 75.88%.

But, some eligible voters who registered in 2011were taken aback at a collection centre in Ajuwon area of Ogun State on Monday, when INEC officials informed them that, their datas were no longer in the commission's database.

In a swift reaction, the questions that popped into the mouths of these affected and disenfranchised registered voters were: 'how did it happen? What should we do then? 'How can INEC help us'?

Observing the disclosed plans and readiness of the electoral umpire to conduct the polls as slated, the commission has not made any provision for these affected Nigerians who would automatically be disenfranchised from participating in polls.

One of such affected registered voters who gave his name as Olayinka Odugbesan expressed bitterness at the development.

"Why did they not announce that they have wiped our datas from their systems, how can they just tell us our data is no longer in their system and expect us to accept it like that? If INEC should go ahead and conduct these elections like this, the election will not be free and fair because so many of us that want to vote have been disenfranchised," Odugbesan said.

Another aggrieved victim, Marry Ogba said the commission has never been serious, adding that INEC cannot come out to tell them that, the registration they took pain to do in 2011 is no longer in their system.

According to Marry, it would be better if INEC can come up with a way of re- registering them, so that they can cast their votes like every other Nigerian citizen.

"I don't even understand this country sef! Why must these people suffer us with everything? To vote is also a problem, we really need good leaders in this country, else we will remain like this and nothing will work," she said.

When Naij.com tried talking with one of the INEC officials at the venue, he said: "sorry am very busy now, I cannot talk."

Meanwhile, the electoral commission had earlier announced that collection of PVCs would end on February 8, but due to several complaints from many Nigerians who couldn't get theirs; it was then extended to March 8, 2015.

Prof. Attahiru Jega who appeared before the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday February 18, assured that all was well, and that the commission is ready for the polls, and even went ahead to demonstrate to the lawmakers how the 'card readers' work.

Recall that INEC shifted the date of elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 because of low distribution of PVCs as well as the insecurity challenges in the northeastern part of the country. Meanwhile, a socio-political group known as Change Coalition of Nigeria had earlier called on INEC to allow Nigerians to use the temporary voter cards alongside permanent voter cards to exercise their franchise.