REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF THE INEC PVC REGISTRATION PROCESS.

May 24, 2017

The Chairman
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC
PMB 0184 Garki
FCT, Abuja
Nigeria

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF THE INEC PVC REGISTRATION PROCESS

We refer to our petition dated May 15, 2017 in which we complained about ‘Worrisome Lapses In The On-Going INEC PVC Registration Process Which May Lead To Mass Disenfranchisement Of Millions Of Voters In The South-East And South-South Region’.
We hereby call on INEC to extend the period of PVC registration process such that intending voters will be able to register on a continuous basis until one week to the election date.

The South-East South-South Network (SESSNet) has been monitoring the ongoing nationwide Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Permanent Voters Card (PVC) Registration processes with particular interest in how the process is being handled in the South-East and South-South region.
Reports reaching SESSNet Secretariat regarding the INEC-PVC Registrations processes from our members and associates across the various Local Government Areas in the South-East and South-South region reveal a very flawed process epitomized by amongst other issues:

1. Faulty or non-functioning equipment (computers and finger-print scanners),

2. Poorly and/or improperly trained INEC personnel,

3. Arbitrary demands from intending registrants: demands have included requests for copies of International Passports to show evidence of not being in Nigeria during the last registration of voters exercise in 2014 and evidence of employment.

4. Insufficient or non-availability of either INEC personnel or registration material and equipment in some INEC Wards.
The problems identified above cuts across, in various degrees, the 11 States of the S-East and S-South region. These problems has created widespread disillusion and anxiety amongst eligible voters in the region due to fears of likely disenfranchisement resulting from not being able to register within the time allotted for the process by INEC.
In the light of the foregoing, SESSNet calls upon the leadership of INEC, extend the period of PVC registration process such that intending voters will be able to register on a continuous basis until one week to the election date to enable all qualified citizens in the South-East and South-South region to take advantage of the INEC PVC Registration exercise to ensure they register and collect their PVC’s for use in elections,

SESSNet will not hesitate to seek judicial remedy to enforce above demands.
We look forward to hearing from you.

Signed For: South-East and South-South Network (SESSNet):

1. Aloysius Osuji (+44-2088087999)
2. Tochukwu Ezeoke (+447748612933)
3. AF Dowell Mirin (+234-8037376013
4. Queenet Brown (+234-8061594770)
5. Eze Eluchie Esq (+234-8175177880)
6. Kaladi Apiafi (+234-8033101457)
7. Emmanuel Ohai (+1 (404) 210-1822⁠)
8. Arnold Obomau (+234 803 312 2694⁠)
9. Ifeanyi Nriarike (+234 803 605 1638⁠)
10. Daniel Elombah (+44-7460770987)