INEC to Partner Oyo Assembly on Voter’s Education

By Abiodun Ogunrinde, Ibadan

The Independent National Electoral Commission says Over 700,000 permanent voters card are yet to be collected in all the 33 local governments across the state.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oyo state, Barrister Mutiu Agboke stated this during a courtesy visit to the members of the state house of Assembly ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The visit according to INEC REC was to seek the collaboration of the state lawmakers on how to ensure a successful conduct of 2019 general elections in the state.

Analysing the PVCs distribution so far in the state, Agboke said out of 2.5 million PVCs received, the commission has districted over 1.7 million while 756,732 permanent voters card are unclaimed.

The REC in his Analysis explained that Ibadan North local government has the highest numbers of uncollected PVCs with 73,602 while Atisbo has the lowest number of uncollected voters card with just 2,624.

Other Local Governments that have highest numbers of uncollected PVCs included, Akinyele 36,769, Atiba 22,112, Egbeda 42,748, Ibadan North East 43,323, Ibadan North West 35,860, Ibadan South East 64,860, Ibadan South West 63,501, Oluyole 32,112, Ido 28,814 and Ogbomoso North 29,139

In his remarks, Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Olagunju Ojo said the visit of the Oyo INEC Team led by Barr Mutiu Agboke to partner with the Oyo state House of Assembly on the sensitisation of the people ahead of 2019 general elections was a good development.

The number one legislator in the state assured the lawmakers readiness to co-operate with INEC towards ensuring the collection of PVCs by the electorates.

Some lawmakers in their separate contributions urged INEC to intensify efforts in its sensitisation especially on voter’s education and discourage vote buying by the politicians.

The on going voter’s registration exercise will be suspended on August 17, 2018.