Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has commenced the distribution of the permanent voter card, PVC, in Ekiti State for the residents.
During the monitoring exercises conducted by Nigerian Pilot Saturday yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, Iworoko, Ifaki and Isan-Ekiti, many residents came out in their large numbers to collect their cards, which is expected to last for a period of ten years. The exercise is expected to end tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Governor Kayode Fayemi of the state said the preliminary reports from all the 2, 195 voting units across the state had indicated that the people had trooped out en masse for the exercise.
Fayemi made the statement at his country home at Isan Ekiti, in Oye Local Government Area, while collecting his card alongside his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, at Ogiliolo unit 009 in the town.
“We decided to declare public holiday on Friday, so that the people can turn up in all the units,” he said.
“So, the initial report, I mean the very preliminary one, indicated high turnout in all the units, but this will not, in any way, make me begin to rate INEC high or pass (positive) comment. We had placed adverts and jingles on radio and television to sensitise the people. The large turnout has shown that Ekiti is desirous of exercising their civic responsibility.”
The governor called on INEC to do what is necessary, should the present fuel scarcity being experienced in the state affects the exercise negatively.
He said: “I will not say INEC would have to extend the D-day exercise now. But the commission must do what is necessary to ensure that the programme is successful.”