The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sentenced Nasiru Idris, who was arrested in Sokoto for possessing 101 permanent voter cards (PVCs), to one year in prison.
INEC made the announcement yesterday in a statement signed by its national commissioner, Festus Okoye.
According to TheCable, Idris was apprehended on October 10 as a result of an intelligence report.
“In some states, police have arrested some individuals found to be in illegal possession of voter cards in the last couple of weeks,” the commission said.
“In one case, the police completed the investigation and turned over the case file to the commission, resulting in the successful prosecution of one Nasiru Idris at a Magistrate Court in Sokoto for possessing 101 PVCs in violation of Sections 117 and 145 of the Electoral Act 2002.” He was sentenced to one year in prison.
“Similarly, police in Kano state apprehended a man who was discovered to be in possession of 367 PVCs.” The suspect has been charged in court, and the commission is prosecuting him.”
Regarding PVC collection, INEC stated that it would hold a retreat in Lagos from November 28 to December 2 with all of the country’s resident electoral commissioners (RECs) and would then release the dates as well as the detailed procedure for the immediate collection of PVCs nationwide.
“The commission appreciates Nigerians’ patience and understanding, particularly those who registered as voters or applied for transfer/replacement of their cards between January and July 2022.” In addition to making the cards available for collection, the commission is working to ensure that the process runs smoothly.”
