The Independent National Electoral Commission in Edo State said it has received non-sensitive materials for the September 19 governorship election in the state.
The Public Affairs Officer of INEC in the state, Tina Obamogie, said in an interview with The PUNCH that the materials had been distributed to the 18 Local Government Areas ahead of the election.
She also disclosed that the commission would use the 2019 voters register for the election which has 2, 210, 334 registered voters, adding that due to the COVID-19 pandemic there would be no distribution of unclaimed Permanent Voters Cards.
No fewer than 14 political parties will be participating in the election.
She said, “We have taken receipt of non-sensitive materials and we have distributed them to the respective LGAs.
“There are 483, 868 unclaimed Permanent Voters Card, but due to the ongoing scourge of coronavirus pandemic, this is not the period to distribute PVCs. Anything that has to do with the collection is not done this period because of COVID-19.
“We had the intention to distribute before the lockdown but we are considering the safety of lives this period. For that reason, we would rely on the 2019 voters register which has 2, 210, 334 registered voters.”