Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Babatunde Osibodu, has clarified that using alternative identification cards such as Driver’s License, International Passport, as well as government issued Staff Identification cards would not aid multiple voting in the local government elections.
Osibodu stated this during a media engagement with newsmen at the Commission’s headquarters in Abeokuta on Friday..
He explained that these alternative means of identity would only serve as verification and identification tools for individuals who have lost or misplaced their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) but had their names published on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Voters’ Register.
The OGSIEC chairman stressed that accepting other means of valid identification was to prevent people from giving excuses and encourage them to exercise their civic responsibility.
Osibodu said, “The primary purpose of PVC is for verification and identification of voters through the BVAS machine, ensuring details on the card and picture tallies with information on INEC Voters’ Register.”
Meanwhile, he reiterated the Commission’s commitment towards conducting a free, fair, credible and transparent elections, saying, “OGSIEC cannot determine the outcome of the elections but can only count votes and announce results.”
He disclosed that the electoral umpire had embarked on extensive training for Electoral and Returning Officers, while Presiding Officers, Poll Clerks and Poll Orderlies would be trained this weekend at various designated centres, in preparation for the polls.
Osibodu however urged political parties to campaign vigorously, while appealing to individuals who might want to disrupt the electoral process to desist from such as security agencies would be on ground to ensure a conducive atmosphere for people to exercise their civic rights.