A group,  the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN), has expressed fears that the insistence by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that only persons with the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVCs) can vote in next month general election could lead to electoral violence.

The group made their fear known at a press conference in Jos, the state capital. Chairman of the group, Dr. Aboi Madaki, who read the text on behalf of the group said, “we have observed that the issue of PVCs, which INEC has made mandatory for all eligible voters, is an issue that is likely to cause a breach during the election.

“This area is of grave concern to us, given the fact that many persons, for no faults of theirs, are yet to get their PVCs. This followed the inability of INEC to issue these cards to many eligible voters as a result of the omission of their names from the register, despite the fact that such people have their temporary voter cards and even voted in the 2011 general elections.

“In this regard, for justice and fair play, we implore INEC to ensure that those who registered are provided with such before the elections. We wish to state categorically that PIDAN will not stand and watch while our people are disenfranchised on the basis of not possessing their PVCs.

“In fact we suggest that PVCs should be made available to prospective voters at least two weeks before the election.