Third Phase of Voter Cards and Registration Begins Nov. 7

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said it will commence the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), in thirteen states in the third phase of the exercise on Friday, 7th November to Sunday, 9th November, 2014. Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR) has also been approved by the Commission and the exercise which is in its third phase is due to begin on Thursday, 13th November, and end on Monday, 17th November, 2014 in thirteen states. The states involved in the exercise according to the Commission are; Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Plateau and Rivers states. INEC had earlier conducted the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, and as well conducted continuous Voter Registration exercise in twenty one states and the Federal Capital Territory in Phases I and II to accommodate new eligible voters, who were not captured in the 2011 exercise or turned 18 years recently. Taraba, Gombe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states were captured in the phase one of the PVC, CVR exercise, while Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Sokoto, FCT, Kwara, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ondo, Oyo, Delta and Cross River states were in phase two. INEC had however urged voters in the thirteen aforementioned states to properly cross-check their names in the displayed Voters' Register and go for their permanent voters' card, warning that anyone without Permanent Voters Card will not be allowed to vote during the 2015 General Elections. INEC also advised those who registered earlier but could not see their names in the displayed register to re-register during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. The Commission warns that,"The CVR exercise is not for those who wish to transfer. Those wishing to transfer should write to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in their new states of domicile before the election, as no transfer will be approved less than 30 days to the election. Those who have lost their cards or whose cards are damaged may apply for them to be replaced by writing to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, through the INEC Electoral Officer of the Local Government Area, where they registered for their replacement well before the election, as no replacement will be approved and no new card will be issued less than 30 days to the election." Source: Daily Times