605,000 PVCs yet to be collected in Osun – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that about 605,059 Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) were yet to be collected by the electorate in Osun state.
INEC Director of Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and CSOs, Ven Akin Ojewande, disclosed this at a programme organised by a non-governmental organisation in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
He said the old and new PVCs in the INEC office were 1,685,468 while a total number of 605,059 were yet to be collected.
The NGO, Kimpact Development Initiative, has kicked off the “Vote Not Fight” campaign in the state as part of efforts to ensure violence free election in the September 22 governorship election in the state.
KDI, in conjunction with National Democratic Institute (NDI) embarked on civic and voters education training for media personnel in the state.
Speaking at the programme, Ojewande urged the media to learn from the sanction of Ekiti Broadcasting Service by the NBC and desist from announcing results of election before official declaration.
He maintained that Nigeria would be in problem if the media failed to build the image of the country by reporting facts.
Speaking, Executive Director, KDI, Mr.
Bukola Idowu, said the voter education workshop would be extended to the traditional rulers, religious bodies, market women, higher institutions and other stakeholders in the state.
According to Idowu, campaign against violence before, during and after election is a collective responsibilities that should be done sincerely.
NDI programme manager, Mr.
Ben Aga, said the decision to involve the media in the workshop was not unconnected with the recognition of their role in stabilising democracy in the country.
He said, the media as a major stakeholder in the coming election, has the responsibility of informing people on the need to eschew violence with their reports.
On his own, Timipanipre Uge, urged the youths to be actively involve in the process of election, advising them to collect their PVCs He said participation of youths in voting would afford them the opportunity to decide who will govern them.
The head of a private radio station in the state, Mr. Femi Olanipekun, urged the media to support the “Vote Not Fight” campaign by sensitizing the electorate on the danger of violence