Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and a former Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, on Monday led the campaign for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards.

The governor had declared Monday as public holiday in the state to enable residents who had yet to collect their PVCs to do so.

As part of the efforts to encourage the people to collect their PVCs, the governor and his entourage, which comprised various candidates of the People’s Democratic Party, went to many wards and units to sensitize the people on the significance of PVCs.

Areas visited by Dickson were Igbogene, Agudama, Igbogoro, Down Yenagoa and other places in the Yenagoa Metropolis.

He reminded the people that the state government would not take it lightly with any public or civil servant that failed to collect their PVCs.

He said as from Wednesday, this week, the government would embark on ‘Operation Show Your PVCs,’ noting that any civil servant or public servant that failed to get theirs would have themselves to blame.

He also told the prospective voters that their PVCs were their power to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming polls.

Dickson said, “Your vote in this democracy is your power. That is why we say in the PDP, power to the people. Power resides with the electorate. Without you, those in government are powerless.

“Soon, I am going to lead one man one vote campaign for the PDP in the state. Let me say that your PVC is very important. It is the instrument you can use to show your power which resides with electorate.

“As from Wednesday, we will embark on operation show your PVC. Before you will be attended to in schools, hospital and other public institutions, you must show your PVC or you will not be attended to. Everybody must show their PVC. Make sure you have your PVC.”

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the work so far done, urging them to deal with PVCs challenges in some areas, particularly some units in Yenagoa.

In his remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bayelsa State, INEC, Mr. Baritor Kpagih, stressed the importance of the PVC, saying without it, one would not be allowed to vote.

He said the call by some people for the use of the Temporary Voter Cards did not suffice, saying the electoral umpire would not go back to that.