Jonathan Orders Jega to Ensure Voters Get PVCs Before Elections

 Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega


•  Swears in new INEC commissioner

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday directed the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to do everything possible to ensure that all Nigerians have their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
He equally called on the commission to be neutral in its work at ensuring a credible election.

He gave the directive at the swearing-in of the new National Commissioner of INEC, Prof. Akinola Salau.

Salau is representing Oyo State in the commission.

The president said he was surprised to hear state governors complain of non-availability of their voters’ cards and promised that no eligible Nigerian voter would be disenfranchised.

“Talking about PVCs, even some governors are complaining that they are yet to get theirs. If governors are yet to get their voters’ cards, of course, that means that so many Nigerians are yet to get and people are a bit worried.

“But to me, I am quite pleased, not pleased in the negative sense, the awareness that has come on board that Nigerians want to have their voters’ cards. Before 2011, no Nigerian complained about voters’ cards and that’s why when some politicians talk I just laugh.

“Before 2011, how many Nigerians complained about not having voters’ cards because elections were not conducted with voters’ cards. Nobody cared, we are all adults in Nigeria and we knew what was happening. But some people came on board and sanitised the electoral process but others want to take the glory.

“We have to commend ourselves, that today, the ordinary Nigerians, businessmen, religious leaders are complaining  that they want their voters’ cards, nobody talked about that before 2011.

“So people should commend us and I’m please that people are talking about voters cards.

To the chairman of INEC, luckily you are here, all Nigerians must get their voters’ cards, we cannot conduct an election where some people will not have the rights to vote.

“People must decide who rules them at all levels not just about presidential elections, at the lowest level of elections conducted by INEC - the state assembly elections, House of Representatives, Senate and presidency, all Nigerians must vote, and INEC must do everything possible to make sure that all Nigerians have their voters’ cards because we cannot have a situation where some Nigerians will not vote that day,” Jonathan said.

Responding, INEC Chairman, Jega, assured Jonathan that “every registered Nigerian will get his/her PVC by February 14, God willing!”

Jonathan said Salau deserved to be congratulated because he should have resumed office long ago, but for some  issues that made  government to stepped it down.

“These are the kind of people we want to put in INEC; people with impeccable character. So Prof. we want to charge you to go and demonstrate clearly that you are with impeccable character and that you will do good to all Nigerians irrespective of anything.

“INEC is supposed to be absolutely neutral in their work to conduct credible election because the whole world is watching at it  and you are coming into INEC at a very critical time with 40 days to election. So you are coming at a critical time and I believe the chairman who is here himself also needs your services.

“I believe Jega will even want to double the number of staff if he has the resources to make sure that they can cope because Nigerians are getting worried whether INEC can actually conduct elections.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/jonathan-orders-jega-to-ensure-voters-get-pvcs-before-elections/198655/