Come and Collect Your PVC and get N2K, Fayose Urges Ekiti Youths

In a case where money is involved, youths don’t joke as hundreds of them in Ekiti state on Thursday stormed the various offices of the Independent National National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration as the commission flagged off the continuous voter registration nationwide.

The large turnout might be connected with the governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose's promise to reward every youth, between 18 and 21 years, who register newly with N2,000.

Security operatives at the gate of the commission had a hectic time controlling the youth, who appeared in a hurry to get the PVC.

Even the repeated appeals by the Administrative Secretary of the commission in Ekiti, Dr.Muslim Moleke, that the exercise was continuous could not calm the youth who almost pulled down the commission's gate.

Some of the youths who interacted with the media at the INEC office, Ado local government, said they were at the commission to collect the card and afterwards collect the reward.

The government had on Wednesday declared Thursday and Friday public holidays to enable civil servants partake in the exercise.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, told journalists that the governor only promised a reward of N2,000 per month to the youths in such category till June next year when the governorship election would be conducted in the state.

Speaking at the flag off, the INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Ekiti, Dr. Muslim Moleke, warned against multiple registration or registration by proxy adding that it was criminal under Sections 12, 24 and 120 of the Electoral Act.

He said there were 2,000 uncollected PVC with the commission urging those concerned to come for them.

The Organising Secretary of APC in the state, Mr. Kolade Amire , raised observation on the alleged inducement adding,  “This financial inducement is dangerous and it was a desperate attempt to subvert the process."