INEC Will Not Issue Permanent Voter Cards To 102, 500 People In Akwa-Ibom — REC

                           
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it cannot process permanent cards for 102, 500 registered voters in Akwa Ibom due to technical problems.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Gabriel Ada, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Friday.
He attributed the problem to double registration by those affected, noting that because of this,  permanent voter cards distribution would not take place in 205 out of the 2,980 polling units.
“The 205 polling units are tagged zero units, so those who registered in these units are advised to go for fresh registration commencing on May 28.
Ada said that if all registered voters in 2011 turn up to collect their permanent cards, the commission would have distributed 1.6 million voter cards.
He appealed to registered voters to check their names on the displayed lists at the polling units and exchange their temporary cards for the permanent cards.

“The exercise is starting today and will last till Sunday, May 25,” Ada said.
The commissioner assured that adequate security arrangement had been made to cover all the 2,980 distribution centres in the state.
“The permanent voter cards will be given to those with temporary voter cards. There shall be no collection of permanent voter cards by proxy,” he said.
He explained that those who lost their temporary voter cards and could identify themselves would be given the permanent cards.
Ada said the permanent voter cards were smart cards, had biometrics information and facial image stored.
NAN reports that the distribution of permanent voter cards would be carried out nationwide in three phases.
The first phase commencing from May 23 to May 25, will take place in 10 states, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Enugu, Gombe, Kebbi, Kogi, Taraba and Zamfara. (NAN)