The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that the attack on one of its Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection centres in Osun State will not affect plans to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election in the state.
The commission’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Dayo Oketola, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
NAN reports that suspected hoodlums on Sunday attacked INEC officials at the PVC collection centre located at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku, stealing electoral materials, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices and PVCs.
Oketola said the incident had been reported to the police, adding that investigations had commenced.
“The Osun incident has been reported to the police. As we speak, it is already public knowledge that the police have started an investigation,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the security agencies would arrest those responsible and recover the stolen INEC equipment.
“As a commission, we trust that the police will be diligent in their investigation, track those suspects, get them arrested and ensure they face the wrath of the law.
“We also trust that they’ll be able to recover our devices, including the BVAS that were reportedly carted away,” Oketola added.
The INEC spokesperson maintained that the incident would not derail the commission’s preparations for the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15.
“It is a matter already under investigation, I cannot actually comment too much on it.
“But I know that that cannot distract INEC from carrying out the activities preceding the Osun governorship election.
“INEC cannot be distracted. We will conduct a free and fair election in Osun. That incident cannot distract us.
“The election will go on as planned, and we expect it to be free, fair and credible at the end of the day,” he said.
Oketola disclosed that INEC had configured 4,427 BVAS devices for the election, with 664 backup units available to replace any affected equipment before or during the poll.
He added that the commission had established 97 Super Registration Area Centres (Super RACs) and 105 Registration Area Centres across the state’s local government areas, which would be activated a day before the election.
“Whatever was carted away will be replaced. Out of the 4,427 BVAS, we have 664 prepared as backups. There is no way whatever happened can disrupt our plans for the election,” he assured.
On the stolen PVCs, Oketola said they would be useless to anyone attempting to manipulate the election because of the biometric verification process introduced through BVAS.
“Nobody can use another person’s PVC to vote in an election in Nigeria again. The era of ghost voters is gone. With BVAS, you must tender your PVC and undergo biometric authentication,” he said.
He further assured voters that INEC would take necessary steps to ensure that no registered voter was disenfranchised because of the incident.
“Once a voter’s name is already on the voters’ register, and somehow, your PVC happens to be among those that have been reportedly stolen, I want to believe you can’t be disenfranchised from exercising your right or participating in the election, come Aug. 15.
“Whatever the commission will do to solve that problem will be done. I know the commission will leave no stone unturned to ensure that no registered voter in Osun is disenfranchised on the election day,” he said.
The INEC spokesperson also urged stakeholders, including political actors, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious organisations and security agencies, to work together to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
He assured voters that security agencies would provide adequate protection for election personnel and materials, urging residents to remain vigilant ahead of the poll.
