Lagos, Ondo and Ekiti States have declared work-free days for civil servants so they can get their Permanent Voter Card (PVCs).

In Lagos, a statement last week by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the work-free day would be from January 24 to 27, 2023, for workers on different grade levels.

The dates include Grade levels 01, 03, 07, and 15 (January 24); levels 02, 04, 08 and 13 (January 25); levels 05, 09, 12, and 17 (January 26); and levels 06, 10, 14 and 16 (January 27).

Muri-Okunola added that the work-free days were approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu so public servants can participate actively in the elections.

He added: “Consequent upon the extension of the collection of PVCs by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it is hereby notified for the general information that all public servants who are yet to collect their PVCs are encouraged to do so before Sunday, January 29, as it is a civic responsibility to vote.”

Muri-Okunola, however, urged accounting officers to excuse their officers in respective grade levels on the designated days.

Ondo, Ekiti  follow

In a similar development, the governments of Ondo and Ekiti states have also declared Tuesday January 24 as work-free day for civil servants in the two states.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said the work-free day declared in his state would enable eligible voters yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had stated on Thursday in Akure that more than 386,000 PVCs were awaiting collection in Ondo State.

Mrs Olufunmike Segun-Osifeso, Head of INEC’s Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Organisations in Ondo State said 1,686,082 PVCs out of the 2,072,092 PVCs received from Abuja had been collected.

That left 386,010 cards yet to be collected.

Akeredolu’s media aide, Mr Richard Olatunde, stated in Akure on Saturday that the work-free day would avail those yet to collect their PVCs to go and collect them at INEC offices at local government secretariats.

The governor urged civil servants, private sector workers, artisans and other potential voters to seize the opportunity to collect the PVCs to be able to exercise their franchise at the forthcoming elections.

In Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji said the work-free day was to enable eligible voters collect their Permanent Voter Cards at the Independent National Electoral Commission designated centres.

The governor made this remark in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, titled, ‘Governor Oyebanji declares Tuesday holiday for PVC collection’ made available in Ado Ekiti.

Oyebanji urged all eligible voters in the state “to take advantage of the holiday and collect their PVC which is their licence to participate in the forthcoming general election”.

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