There are strong indications that victims of the recent attacks in parts of Barakin-Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State might be disenfranchised in the forthcoming general elections as most of their valuables including their PVC were burnt during the attacks.
It would be recalled that electorate in some communities in the local governments which were attacked recently by some gunmen suspected to be herdsmen had their houses and other personal belongings including their PVCs burnt.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Halilu Hussein Pai in an interactive session with the traditional rulers in the state on Thursday said in as much as the National Independent Electoral Commission sympathises with the victims of the attack, there is nothing the commission can do to provide another PVC before the general election.
” In as much as we sympathise with the victims, there is nothing we can do. Activities of INEC are time-bound, out of 15 activities, we have concluded 9. It is not our intention to disenfranchise anyone but there is no way we can provide another one before the election. But I can assure them that after the election the process of PVC production will continue.”
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He said the Commission since April 2018 has been making concerted efforts to ensure that those in various IDPs camp across the state were not disenfranchised adding that many of them were registered and have collected their PVCs.
The REC enjoined the traditional rulers in the state to preach peace to their subjects and implored them on the need for a peaceful election.
In his comment, the Chairman, Plateau State Joint Traditional Council, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba said it would be an injustice to disenfranchise those recently affected by the crisis in the state. He implored the commission to work out a modality that would accommodate the victims of the recent attacks.
The traditional ruler advocated for the use of Temporary Voter Cards to take care of the victims since they were initially registered and captured accordingly, adding that any attempt to disenfranchise them might make them feel alienated.
He also advised the commission to create a level playing field for all political parties, adding that this becomes necessary because of the prevailing security situation in the Plateau.
Y not in zamfara and Borno states? bcos they knw pdp will win in plateau state.