INEC responds to attack on PVC collection centre in Osun ahead of governorship election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the attack on its permanent voter cards (PVCs) collection centre in Osun will not stop it from holding a free, fair, and credible governorship election in the state.

Dayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, gave this assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

NAN reported that some suspected hoodlums attacked the INEC PVC collection centre at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku on Sunday. They harmed staff members on duty and stole electoral materials, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices and PVCs.

Oketola told NAN that the police have been informed about the incident and they have started their investigation.

"The Osun incident has been reported to the police. As we speak, it is already public knowledge that the police have started an investigation," Oketola said.

He expressed his belief that the police will catch the suspects and recover the stolen items.

"As a commission, we trust that the police will be diligent in their investigation, track those suspects, get them arrested, and ensure they face the law.

"We also trust that they’ll be able to recover our devices, including the BVAS that were reportedly carted away," he added.

Oketola confirmed that despite the attack, INEC's preparations for the upcoming election remain on track.

"It is a matter already under investigation, I cannot actually comment too much on it.

"But I know that that cannot distract INEC from carrying out the activities preceding the Osun governorship election.

"INEC cannot be distracted. We will conduct a free and fair election in Osun. That incident cannot distract us.

"The election will go on as planned, and we expect it to be free, fair, and credible at the end of the day," he said.

He mentioned that the commission is doing a pre-assessment tour of the state to check operational readiness and meet with important local stakeholders.

Oketola also said that a total of 4,427 BVAS devices were set up for the governorship election, which includes 664 backup units to handle any issues before and during the election.

He added that INEC has set up 97 Super Registration Area Centres (Super RACs) and 105 Registration Area Centres in all local government areas in the state, which will be fully activated the night before election day.

"Whatever was carted away will be replaced. Out of the 4,427 BVAS, we have 664 prepared as backups. There is no way whatever happened can disrupt our plans for the election," he assured.

Oketola described stealing PVCs as useless, given the strict biometric checks required by the BVAS technology.

"Nobody can use another person’s PVC to vote in an election in Nigeria again. The era of ghost voters is gone. With BVAS, you must present your PVC and undergo biometric verification.

"The technology has been tightened so that nobody can use another person’s identity to vote in Nigeria.

"That has been proven in previous elections, especially those held under Prof. Amupitan's leadership," Oketola said.

He assured registered Nigerians that the commission would take steps to ensure that no voter is denied their right to vote due to the incident.

"Once a voter’s name is on the voters’ register, and somehow your PVC is among those that have been reportedly stolen, I believe you can’t be blocked from voting on August 15.

"Whatever the commission needs to do to solve that problem will be done. I know the commission will do everything possible to ensure that no registered voter in Osun is disenfranchised on election day," he said.

Oketola also reassured voters of their safety during the election. He urged all stakeholders to work together with the commission to protect the country’s electoral assets and ensure a peaceful voting environment.

"While security agencies will provide enough security to protect people and election materials, we need all key stakeholders to be alert.

"The people, community leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, religious organizations, and political actors; we all must collaborate to ensure that the Osun election is successful and conducted in a way that encourages people to come out and vote," Oketola said.