The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has so far distributed 1,328,715 permanent voter cards for the forthcoming elections in Akwa Ibom State.

The state resident electoral commissioner (REC) Mr Austin Okojie who stated this in Uyo at a stakeholder’s forum explained that the figure represents 91.4 per cent of the total cards meant for the electorate in the state.

Okojie hinted that the commission had taken delivery of 3,813 card readers to be distributed at each of the polling units across the state.

He disclosed that the card readers has been configured to suit specific polling units and was not transferable.

The resident electoral commissioner also informed the forum which consists of representatives of political parties, security agencies, the media and civil societies that reading of permanent voter cards would only take minutes per voter.

He explained that the card reading machines were new and had been manufactured to make accreditation more effective and stress free within the election period adding that accreditation of eligible voters would only be done using the card reader and on the presentation of PVCs.

Okojie who warned against malpractices during the poll however advised the peoples of the state to embrace peace and shun any act inimical to the conduct of the elections.