The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC) has debunked the claim of Bola Tinubu, former Lagos governor, that Permanent Voter’s Card has an expiry date.
Mr Tinubu, a frontline presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC) had on Tuesday called on Nigerians to troop out and reregister as their current cards have all expired.
He made the remarks while addressing women leaders of the ruling party on Tuesday at his residence in Abuja.
“In case they do not announce to you on time, the PVC you have has expired,” the presidential hopeful claimed. “You need to spread it to various local government and wards at each levels.
“No matter how difficult it is. To me, I look at it closely and you look at other elections being held, you will see that it’s diminishing because those cards (is) expired. It’s mandatory that you go and register to vote and achieve your aspirations.”
Countering him is Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, who warned that registering twice is a crime under the law.
Mr Oyekanmi told TheCable that all voter’s card remain valid and can only be replaced when it is defaced.
“A PVC does not have an expiry date on it, therefore, it does not expire,” he said. “As long as the security chip on it is not damaged, it remains valid. But if the chip is damaged, the holder can apply for a replacement.
“Nigerians who already have their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) do not need to register again. In fact, double registration is an offence under our laws.
“Eligible Nigerians are entitled to register only once. Once a name appears in the national register of voters, it stays there permanently.
“One of the very few instances where a name could be removed from the register is if there is strong and verifiable proof that the person bearing the name has died.”
