The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would begin the distribution of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in Borno State on Friday.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Tukur Sa’ad disclosed this on Tuesday to journalists in Maiduguri, the state capital.

He noted that PVCs and CVR exercises by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could be done at anytime.

He said: “We have received a number of PVCs, but the balance is yet to arrive Maiduguri, hopefully we will receive our balance in due course, before the commission commences distributing them.”

He however attributed the non-distribution of the PVCs that placed Borno state in last phase to the closure of roads by the military for four days in December last year.

“The closure of the entries to Borno State has affected deliveries of PVCs and CVR for internally displaced persons,” Prof. Sa’ad said.

He said the distribution of cards and voters’ registers will however be restricted to only 12 council areas, because of the Boko Haram insurgency in 15 Local Government Areas of the state.

The affected councils, according to him, include Bama, Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Konduga, Chibok, Damboa, Dikwa, Ngala, Abadam, Marte, Mafa, Kukawa and Kala/Balge.

“Since we cannot guarantee the security of INEC and other ad hoc staff in the continuous voters’ registrations and distribution of PVCs, the commission is to distribute them in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Biu, Monguno, Gubio,
Magumeri, Mobbar, Kwaya/Kusar, Bayo, Nganzai, Guzamala and Shani councils.”

On the disenfranchisement of IDPs, he however said: “Legally, PVCs can be distributed even on election day. But we want to have a cushion of at least one month; it is achievable. The displaced persons should not entertain fears of being disenfranchised by the commission at their respective camps in the state.”

Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno state; are being considered by a task force, as its report has been submitted to the commission last Saturday for implementation, Sa’ad further disclosed.