2023: INEC Reacts to Viral Video of Staff Copying Numbers on PVCs, Sends Strong Message to Nigerians
- Mixed reactions have continued to trail viral video footage of INEC's staff copying numbers from permanent voter cards (PVCs) in Lagos
- INEC in a statement by its commissioner debunked the claims that the commission was trying to rig the 2023 elections
- The nation's electoral umpire however urged Nigerians to stop spreading fake news and information while noting it poses a great threat to the 2023 polls
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A report by The Cable has it that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked claims accompanying a viral video that its workers were stealing voter information from permanent voter cards (PVCs) in Lagos.
Within the past 48 hours, videos have gone viral on social media platforms showing some persons copying information from PVCs onto their mobile phones.
Source: Facebook
INEC reveals the real truth
According to This Day, there were also claims following the videos that INEC was trying to rig the 2023 elections.
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However, the commission has debunked claims accompanying the video that its workers were stealing voter information from PVC.
In a statement on Wednesday, December 7, Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner, said the commission was aware of the video.
INEC warns Nigerians against fake news
While confirming that the persons in the video were INEC staff at an office of the commission in Festac, Amuwo Odofin LGA in Lagos, Okoye said the video shows the staff “harvesting” voter information numbers (VINs) from PVCs as part of an inventory process for older, uncollected cards.
“While the Commission appreciates the vigilance of Nigerians and their determination to see the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections in 2023, it is exceedingly important that information such as contained in the said video is verified before sharing it with the public. ” the statement added.
2023 elections: Photos, video surface as INEC office, ballot boxes, PVCs go into flames in prominent state
INEC's office in Izzi local government area of Ebonyi state was burnt down on Sunday, November 27.
The incident was confirmed by INEC's spokesman, Festus Okoye, who reported that ballot boxes and PVCs were destroyed by the flames.
On behalf of the commission, Okoye alerted the Nigerian Police Force to begin an investigation into the attack.
Tension as suspected thugs set fire on INEC office in southwest state
Some suspected thugs have set fire to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office at Iyana Mortuary in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
The incident was said to have occurred around midnight on Wednesday, November 9.
It was gathered that the thugs jumped the fence of the commission's building and set fire to it from the back.
Source: Legit.ng
