On Friday, eligible voters in Umuahia, [Abia State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abia_State), arrived at designated collection points only to find that no INEC staff were on site, leaving them unable to pick up their [Permanent Voter Card (PVC)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_Voter_Card) before the centre closed at 3 pm.
**Why were voters left without INEC staff?**
The scheduled nationwide PVC collection began in the morning, but by early afternoon the officials who had initially arrived had already departed from centres such as Ugba Primary School and School Road Primary School. Witnesses reported that the staff left well before the advertised closing time, despite voters travelling long distances to attend.
**What did the affected voters say?**
Mr Innocent Odoenelam, a resident of World Bank Housing Estate, said he rushed to Ugba Primary School after hearing a radio announcement that cards were ready. Arriving around 2:30 pm, he was told the centre had closed for the day. “I feel heavily disappointed because I left a lot of things I should be doing to rush down here to pick up my PVC. I feel discouraged,” he lamented, but added he would return on Monday.
Another voter, Mr Francis Egwuibe, claimed he first visited the centre at 8:30 am and waited past 9 am without seeing any official. After a second attempt in the afternoon, he again found the staff gone. He questioned why INEC personnel could not remain throughout the announced collection window, noting the time and transport costs incurred by voters.
Female voter Chioma Njoku accused the commission of treating prospective voters as if they had no value, warning that such treatment could deter citizens from participating in future elections.
**What is INEC’s response?**
At St Stephen’s Primary School, the last remaining staff reportedly left at about 3:18 pm when the correspondent arrived. INEC spokesperson for Abia, Mr Victor Abraham, said he would investigate and revert with findings, but no follow‑up had been received at the time of reporting.
The frustrated voters urged the commission to keep staff on site for the full collection period and to improve communication, ensuring that eligible citizens can obtain their cards without unnecessary hardship.