Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the details of politicians buying and storing up Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to rig the 2023 general elections.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated, yesterday, that such politicians must be named, shamed and prosecuted immediately, as there must be no cover-up, if the electoral umpire is serious about credible elections.
The group called for the speedy passage of the Bill for an Act to Establish the National Electoral Offences Commission and Related Matters 2022, which is before the House of Representatives, noting that the existence of such commission would deal with electoral offenders, including PVC buyers.
INEC National Commissioner overseeing Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Haruna, had on Monday, in Abuja, raised the alarm that some politicians were buying PVCs. He also disclosed that two persons had been convicted for illegal possession of PVCs in Sokoto and Kano states.
Consequently, INEC vowed to prosecute anyone caught buying or selling PVCs, warning politicians and political parties that it would not condone any illegal act.
HURIWA stated: “We condemn the actions of desperate politicians buying and storing up PVCs for electoral malpractices. It is important that this method of vote-buying be punished and INEC should disqualify all those buying PVCs, arrest them and prosecute them in the courts.”
Source: Guardian.ng