Finally got my PVC

The registration for a Permanent voter card has been on for some time now and I planned to get it since I fail to get it the last times I ought to. I can remember going for the registration but after facing a long queue, I gave up. However, I decided that not even a long queue will stop me this time around. The electorate body made things easy for the citizens this time around by providing an online platform where the phone can fill in their bio-data, upload pictures and schedule a date for thumb printing.

I encountered some problems while registering. Several attempts to fix a date for thump printing failed. When I pick other local Governments available dates are shown but when I pick the local government where I fall, nothing appears. My friend who stays close also complained of the same thing. We tried several times but we got no appointment and the deadline was fast approaching. The online registration closed on the 30th of May and I assume that we can no longer fix an appointment for thumb printing until two weeks ago.

Initially, I planned to pick a day and go for the manual registration, I know it will be stressful but I’m determined to evade all obstacles. Two weeks the breakthrough came when  I checked INEC’s website and there it was. Finally, I picked the 29th of June for my thumb printing. A day before the deadline bar any extension.

Yesterday was the chosen date so I woke up early with my friend. We’ve heard reports of how crowded various registration centres are so we took off early. We got there around 6 am and to her surprise, we met over 200 people waiting. Though I was expecting it, I was still shocked by the turnout. It seems so many people didn’t sleep at home. I saw a lady and started a conversation with her and she said she got there around 5 am and met a lot of people. We waited outside till 9:30 when one of the officials came out with a paper.

Apparently, they all wrote their names when they got there. We didn’t write ours, even if we did, maybe we will be number 300 on the list. The coordinate said those whose number on the list falls below 100 should go back home and there we were with our names not even on the list.   The first 100 names were called and they went in, while the calling of names was on, my friend said we should leave but I refused. I was determined to do my thumb printing that day. I plan to stay outside the gate even after the hundred names have been called, no matter how they persuade me to leave, I won’t leave until they answer me.

I couldn't take clear pictures. I being snapped without permission, so i find it hard to do it too.

A few minutes after the 100 went in some of us were still outside hoping for a miracle and it happened. About 90% of those who went in haven’t done their online registration. They will have to fill out a form putting in their details and some other details which will take time. The coordinator came out and ask those who have their filled form with them to bring them out, I handed mine and my friend’s to him, some people also did and he went back in. Not long after that another instructor came and opened the gate for everyone. The crowd trooped it and everyone hung around.

Suddenly another instructor came with the forms in hand and started calling names. I wasn’t expecting him to call mine but after calling six names, he called mine. I was shocked but happy, he called my friend’s name next and we both went in. It took everyone approximately 5 minutes and with 30mins it was my turn, I did mine and went out. We decided not to go back home directly, we branched at a restaurant and then a pepper soup joint to celebrate this victory. lol

Thanks for Reading! 🤗💚🤗