The National Independent Electoral Authority (NIEO) today announced an extension of the collection period for Permanent Voters Cards (PECs) to September 15 in Edo State ahead of the September 21 governorship elections.
The decision follows an interactive meeting between the NIEO and stakeholders in Benin, during which the agency was unanimously requested to extend the collection period for the PECs to enable more voters collect their cards.
The National Commissioner of the NIEO, Sam Olumekun, stressed the importance of the decision and noted that the cards would be available at the 18 NIEO local offices across the state from 9am to 5pm daily, from Friday, September 13 to Sunday, September 15.
He encouraged all registered voters who had not yet collected their CEP to seize this opportunity and reiterated that no proxy collection would be allowed, in line with the organization’s policy.
This extension is aimed at ensuring the participation of all concerned voters and promoting a transparent and inclusive electoral process. Representatives of political parties, candidates, traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organizations and the media all participated in this meeting and expressed their support for this decision.
In conclusion, this initiative demonstrates OINE’s commitment to free and fair elections, where every vote counts. It is essential for democracy that all citizens are able to exercise their right to vote, and this extension of the CEP collection period helps to ensure this crucial objective.