INEC Chairman, Jega

Residents of Lagos were able to obtain their permanent voters cards today in the 11 local councils, where they were being distributed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

According to on-field reports, the distribution of the cards got better on Saturday. INEC has up till 10 November to distribute the cards.

A NAN correspondent, who monitored the exercise in Ikeja Local Government Area, reported that the names and photographs of registered voters were pasted at the polling units by 8.30 a.m.

The distribution of the cards commenced by 9.00a.m., and policemen were present to provide security and maintain law and order.

A resident, Mr Kola Adebanjo, told NAN after obtaining his PVC at Unit 025, Ward 9, Ikeja, that he was confident that INEC would conduct a credible election in 2015.

“I have never voted before in my life because I used to think that elections in Nigeria were fraudulent.

“However, the recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states were very free and fair and have restored my confidence in the electoral process.

“So I know that I will cast my vote in the 2015 elections by the grace of God,” Adebanjo said.

Another resident, Mrs Mulikat Akinsulire, urged INEC to make the process of obtaining the PVC less stressful.

“I was here yesterday and was unable to collect my card. But I have collected it now but I think the process can be made easier by INEC,” she said.

In Mushin, INEC officials did not arrive at most collection centres before noon while hundreds of residents in the area patiently waited for them.

Mr Olumide Faleti, a resident in the area, told NAN that he finally collected his PVC at the Ward 10 polling unit after noon.

He advised INEC to further extend the period of the exercise to enable residents collect their cards.

Faleti said that it would not be fair if over half of the eligible voters in Lagos are unable to collect their PVC before the deadline on Monday.

Also, Mrs Gbemisola Alalade, a resident of Atewolara area, advised INEC to do more to sensitise the public through the media on the distribution of the PVC.

In Ikorodu, Chief Alimi Oluwaloseyi, the traditional ruler of Offin, Igbogbo-Baiyeku
Local Council Development Area, said that distribution of PVC started at 10.30a.m.

“INEC officials reached our town around 10.30a.m and have since begun distribution of the cards at the various polling units.

“The turnout is quite impressive, and some people have collected their cards already.

“I am yet to collect mine, but I am prepared to wait for as long as it takes,’’ the traditional ruler said.

Also, Mr Vincent Onuaba, a resident of Rofo Estate in Ikorodu North LCDA, said that officials of INEC arrived at polling Unit 13 in Oduyebo, Odogunyan at 12.30.

Onuaba, however, said that distribution of voter cards did not start immediately because the register to thumb print after collection of the card was not available.

At the various units in Ogba and Agege, people turned out in large number as early as 7.00a.m., to collect their PVCs.

Mrs Eunice Bello, a banker, who also made an attempt to pick up her card on Friday but failed, said that there was need for INEC to step up efforts in coordinating their activities.

”I was here yesterday as early as 7.am for the card but waited all day for the INEC officials to no avail.

”Today I am here again, but only to discover that the official did not arrive till about 9.00a.m.

Bello criticised the use of just one official by INEC to handle the distribution of the cards at the polling unit.

Mr Olarenwaju Oladayo, a Lagos public school teacher, told NAN that he was elated with the large turnout of people at the various units in Ogba, describing it as encouraging.

He said that the development was a sign of good things to come, adding that the masses were becoming more aware of their role during elections.

Oladayo however called on INEC to be proactive in their conduct and be time conscious in subsequent activities.

At Lagos Mainland Local Government, people were seen collecting their cards in several polling units visited in Iwaya, Adekunle and Alagomeji, among others.

At Ward D, Polling Unit 006, situated at St. Peters Catholic School, Apapa Road, Ebute-Meta, eligible voters were seen collecting their cards at 2.15p.m.

Mrs Agbes Folami, who said she was a cleric, expressed delight as she picked up her card at the polling unit.

“I’m so happy because I came from Alagbado and my transport fare has not been wasted.I am happy there was no queue and I collected it with ease,’’ she said.

Mr Fuwad Ojora, a politician, told NAN that he was excited.

“As politicians, we know the value of the card and will mobilize people who were discouraged yesterday to come and collect their PVCs,’’ he said.

Mrs Nuratu Balogun, an elderly woman, who also picked up her card, said she was happy and looked forward to casting her votes in the coming elections.

In Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, Mr Dayo Fafunmi, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) requested for further extension of the exercise.

Fafunmi (APC-Ifako-Ijaiye I) said the extension would be necessary because INEC officials turned up late in so many centres.

Many people were also seen collecting their voter cards in some polling units visited in Ojokoro by 2 pm.

Meanwhile, an election monitoring group, Voters Awareness Initiative, said that INEC should have prepared better for the distribution of the PVCs in Lagos State.

The Executive Director of the group, Mr Wale Ogunade, told NAN that the turnout of residents for the exercise has not been impressive.