Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega has made it clear that the purchase of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by politicians or individuals is a criminal offence punishable by the law.
Addressing members of the National Assembly yesterday on the readiness of the commission to conduct the March 28th and April 11th general elections, Professor Jega explained that purchasers of the PVCs at worst can succeed in disenfranchising the owners of the cards.
The INEC Chairman who did not deny allegations of politicians forging PVCs gave assurance that the Card Reader machines introduced by his commission cannot access forged PVCs, thereby nullifying the intention of those who forged them.
Answering a question on whether the card reading machine is part of the voting material, Professor Jega said that the machine has nothing to do with voting but rather it will assist the commission in its effort to have a genuine and authentic accreditation of voters.
Insisting that the card reader does not violate both the electoral act and the constitution, Jega maintained that the machine will further give credibility to the outcome of the forthcoming general elections in the country.
He said that it is the intention of his commission to make the PVCs a lasting document so that it could as well be used in the 2019 general elections. Professor Jega used the opportunity to thank Nigerians for their patience and understanding in the rescheduled election. Assuring his commission’s desire to give Nigerians a free, fair and credible elections.
