INEC begins distribution of PVCs tomorrow •Oyo declares public holiday •REC assures voters of credibility

AS the preparations for the 2015 general elections increases, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the second phase of the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to take place from tomorrow and end on Sunday. According to a statement from the Commission, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja, the three-day exercise would take place in 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The states include Yobe and Bauchi (North East); Jigawa and Sokoto (North West); FCT and Kwara (North Central); Anambra and Ebonyi (South East); Ondo and Oyo (South West); and Delta and Cross River (South South). It stated that the continuous voter registration exercise would follow immediately in the above states from August 20-25. It advised voters to cross-check their names in the displayed voters’ register, while those who registered before but did not see their names in the displayed register are to re-register during the continuous voter registration exercise. It added that the exercise was not for those who wished to transfer to other areas and advised those wishing to transfer to write the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in their new states of domicile, before the election, as no transfer would be approved less than 30 days to the election. It explained that those who had lost their cards or whose cards were damaged “may apply for them to be replaced by writing to the REC through the INEC Electoral Officer of the Local Government Area where they registered for their replacement before the election, saying “no replacement will be approved and no new card will be issued less than 30 days to the election.” Meanwhile, Oyo State Government has declared Friday, August 15 public holiday in the state. This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Festus Adedayo in Ibadan, on Wednesday. According to the statement, the public holiday is to allow for massive turn-out of people for the collection of permanent voters’ cards which begins in the state on Friday. Meanwhile, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has urged the people of the state to turn out en masse to obtain the permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) on Friday, and stressed that the cards would give them the opportunity to exercise their civic rights and choose people of their choice to represent them during the 2015 general elections. The governor also enjoined the people not to engage in selling their voters’ cards for whatever reason, as this might deny them the opportunity of choosing the right people to lead them. Also, REC, INEC, Oyo State, Nasir Ayilara has assured members of the public that the commission is ready to maintain its determination of confronting electoral challenges in the country. Ayilara made this known while addressing audience on the state of preparedness of INEC in Oyo State for distribution of permanent voter cards and conduct of continuous voter registration at the conference hall, Federal secretariat, Ibadan, on Wednesday.