UYO – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom says it has so far distributed 163,635 Permanent Voter Cards in the state
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof. Anugbuom Onuoha, made the disclosure at a meeting with media representatives in Uyo on Tuesday.
Onuoha said that already, the third phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise had begun, saying, ” the exercise will end on July 10”
He described voter cards as an important electoral tool for every responsible citizen.
“Apart from being used to vote, the voter card is used for identification purposes,” he said.
Onuoha urged those whose cards are defaced, and those who had reached 18 years of age to take advantage of the ongoing exercise.
The REC warned aspirants ad party supporters to desist from mounting campaign billboards, describing it as a contravention of the law.
“It is not yet time for campaigns, so it is wrong to post campaign posters or mount bill boards,” he said.
He urged the media to support the commission by sensitising the public to the need for registration as voters.
The INEC official used the occasion to express the commission’s commitment to conduct of a free, fair and credible general elections in 2027.
He stated that under his watch, no form of electoral malpractices would be tolerated in the state.
“Our core mandate is to conduct free, fair and credible elections in Akwa Ibom, and we need the cooperation of the media to perform these duties,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the media, Mr Dianime Uko, the Auditor, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa-Ibom Council, commended the REC for the meeting.
He expressed the willingness of the media in Akwa Ibom to work with the commission towards ensuring a credible election in 2027.(NAN)
