The new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Mr. Edwin Nwatarali, has warned those who do not have Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) not to bother coming to the polling stations on the day of the election to avoid being manhandled by security operatives.

He gave the warning on Wednesday while addressing party representatives at a stakeholders meeting in Awka.

The REC noted that the measure was adopted to checkmate those with double registration and impostors in order to ensure credible, free and fair elections.

Nwatarali maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is well prepared for the February general elections, assuring that eligible voters without their PVCs would get them before the elections.

In his words, “The commission is well prepared for anything in this election and we have worked round the clock to make that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

“With the card reader, the issue of impersonation and double registration will not arise. We don’t want crisis in any polling unit and security operatives have been properly briefed to ensure the security of the voters and the election materials.

“Anybody who tries to foment trouble will only be inviting trouble for himself. We must police the polling centers to ensure that we achieve the desired result from the election and the processes we have put in place are well enough to restore confidence in the electoral system.”

Nwatarali stressed that INEC has acquired enough card readers with technical staff on standby in the event of any failure, adding that when the battery fails, there would be enough spare card readers for use.

The REC further explained that INEC is totally committed to delivering a credible election and called on the electorate to cooperate with the commission during the exercise.

•Photo shows new Anambra REC Edwin Nwatarali.

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