INEC Meets Political Parties In Ogun, Vows To Prosecute CVR Violators

ABEOKUTA - In order to improve the credibility of elections in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun State has warned all the political parties not to violate any relevant section of the law during the CVR exercise.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Segun Agbaje said this on Thursday in Abeokuta, during a  meeting with party chairmen on expansion of voter access to polling units and commencement of continuous voter registration exercise.

Agbaje explained that apart from providing platforms for sponsorship of candidates during election, political parties have the mandate to ensure that they properly educate and mobilize the voters for effective participation in electoral process.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner added that the Permanent Voters Cards are available at all the 20 Local Governments of the state for collection by those who are yet to do so.

He said, ''it is important to point out that a total of four hundred and sixty-four thousand, six hundred and four (464,604) PVCs were collected by their owners before 2019 General election out of One million, One hundred and twenty-six thousand, two hundred and forty-seven (1,126,247) PVCs received in the state leaving a balance of 661, 643 out of which one thousand, six hundred and fifteen (1,615) had collected since the beginning of the exercise this year. A total of six hundred and sixty thousand and twenty Eight (660,028) PVCs are yet to be collected".

He explained further that the level of participation of eligible citizens of the state in the first quarter of the CVR exercise both online and physical was very low compared to other states in the county particularly across the South West zones where states like Ekiti, Osun, and Ondo that have less population performed better than Ogun State.

Agbaje, therefore, urged political parties to abide by the code of conduct and also utilize the opportunity provided by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to always advise and proffer solutions through purposeful research findings for the promotion of Inter-Party dialogue with all registered political parties in the State.

He then commended the commission for the collaborative efforts with other stakeholders towards ensuring that democracy thrives in Nigeria.