PVCs distribution in Borno yet to commence, says REC

THE modalities of distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) andContinuous Voters Registration (CVR) of Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in Borno State; are being considered by a task force, as its report has been submitted to the commission last Saturday for implementation, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Tukur Sa’ad has disclosed.Sa’ad made this known Monday in Maiduguri, on the non-distribution of PVCs and CVR exercise by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, 40 days to the 2015 general elections.His words: “We have received a number of PVCs, but the balance is yet to arrive Maiduguri, hopefully we will receive our balance in due course, before the commission commences distributing them.”He however attributed the non-distribution of PVCs that placed Borno state in last phase to closure of roads by the military for four days in December last year.“The closure of entry to Borno State has affected deliveries of PVCs and CVR for internally displaced persons,” said Prof. Sa’ad.He said the distribution of cards and voters’ registers; will however be restricted to only 12 council areas, because of Boko Haram insurgency in 15 Local Government Areas of the state.The affected councils, according to him, include Bama, Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Konduga, Chibok, Damboa, Dikwa, Ngala, Abadam, Marte, Mafa, Kukawa and Kala/Balge, 195 kiometres north of Maiduguri, the state capital.“Since we cannot guarantee the security of INEC and other ad hoc staff in the continuous voters’ registrations and distribution of PVCs, the commission is to distribute them in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Biu, Monguno, Gubio, Magumeri, Mobbar, Kwaya/Kusar, Bayo, Nganzai, Guzamala and Shani councils.”On the disenfranchisement of IDPs, he however said: “Legally, PVCs can be distributed even on election day. But we want to have a cushion of at least one month; it is achievable. The displaced persons should not entertain fears of being disenfranchised by the commission at their respective camps in the state.”