Stolen PVCs Worthless, INEC Assures Osun Voters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters in Osun State that recently stolen Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) cannot be used to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Thursday during the signing of the Osun Governorship Election Peace Accord in Osogbo.

His comments followed the theft of uncollected PVCs in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, and Ife Central.

Amupitan explained that the stolen cards were useless for accreditation because the electoral process requires live biometric verification through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“The stolen cards are functionally inert, as no accreditation can take place without live biometric verification on the BVAS,” he said.
He disclosed that the serial numbers of the stolen PVCs had been blacklisted, while security agencies were closing in on those responsible.

The INEC chairman also said affected voters would either receive replacement PVCs or be authorised to use digital verification PVCs for the election.

He reiterated that INEC had incorporated an Electoral Risk Management framework to identify and monitor threats capable of affecting the poll, adding that intelligence-led interventions had already been activated in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, stakeholders at the Peace Accord called on political actors to ensure a peaceful election.

Speaking on behalf of National Peace Committee Chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Cardinal John Onaiyekan urged political parties to honour the agreement and conduct issue-based campaigns.

Representing the Inspector-General of Police, Assistant Inspector-General Fasuba Akinyele Olabode assured residents of adequate security and pledged that police officers would remain impartial throughout the election.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, commended INEC’s independence and urged politicians to place the peace and development of Osun State above partisan interests.

The event was attended by the Osun State Governor, INEC National Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and security agencies.