Prof. Attahiru Jega

 The distribution of permanent voters card has been suspended in six local councils of  Adamawa state, where a governorship bye-election has been scheduled for 11 October. The PVC is a prerequisite for participation in the election.

The councils affected are all in Adamawa North Senatorial District, where Boko Haram militants have annexed several towns as part of their Islamic Caliphate. Affected are Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha local government areas.

Despite the security concern,  Adamawa Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) said the election will go ahead.

 The assurance is contained in a statement jointly signed by AIG John Abakasanga, Chairman of ICCES, and the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Kassim Gaidam.

 The statement said: ” For the avoidance of doubt, the date for the Adamawa State by-election stands 11th October 2014, and these resolutions are subject to the approval of the Chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega,” the statement said.

 It said the distribution of PVC was suspended “until such a time when normalcy is restored to the aforementioned local government areas, meaning that voters in those areas shall use their Temporary Voters’ Cards (TVC) to vote for the elections”.

 INEC today  began  issuing Permanent Voters’  Cards (PVCs) in the state ahead of the governorship by-election.

 The exercise, which commenced at 8 a.m., saw many eligible voters coming out at polling units in Yola to obtain their cards.

 At Bako polling unit in Yola, many people were seen checking their names on the voters’ register while those who  identified theirs queued to exchange the cards.

 Malam Musa Ibrahim, who collected his card, expressed delight at the development and expressed the hope that the election would be successful.

 Hajara Yakubu, on her part, said she had yet to trace her name but would continue to check for it carefully before lodging a complaint if she failed to trace it.