By Stanley Onyekwere
To ensure greater citizenry participation in the electioneering process, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Better Nigeria Advocacy and Empowerment Initiative (BNAEI), has taken voter education and awareness campaign to residents in Jikwoyi community, of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The NGO organised the sensitisation campaigned tagged: ‘operation get your PVC, vote and ensure your vote counts’, in the wake of the conclusion of plans by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence 4th quarter of continuous voter registration exercise today.
President of the NGO, Franklin Ehizuelen, noted that the organisation, which doesn’t belong to any political party, is doing its part to empower people as stakeholders in ensuring a credible elections, because it understands the need for voter education and sensitisation ahead of 2023 elections, as everyone needs to exercise their civic rights.
Ehizuelen disclosed the NGO identified the community because of its population and poor voter education and awareness in the community, and decided to start the camp there, before taking it to other places.
“We are just starting to make people understand why they should register and collect their the Permanent Voter Card (PVC), in order to vote.
“As stakeholders (voters), we have a right to defend our nation through electioneering , so we must register, collect our PVCs and vote, as well as ensure that our votes count. But, if we don’t do it, we are mortgaging our lives.
“Again, we are also telling the people that they must not sell their votes, but vote their conscience and do the right thing this time”, he stressed.
Desk Officer for voter education, INEC office, in AMAC, Chinweuba Obumnaeke, stressed the importance of having a PVC, as it is the only power to vote for their leaders of choice as well as a recognised means of identification.
While urging the people to always collect their PVCs from INEC office, the INEC scribe also urged them to properly keep their PVCs to avoid damage.
According to her, “You know that the PVC is ones civic right that gives entitlement to cast vote during elections. We have cases of those that have been registered but have not able to pick up their PVCs. But, the 4th quarter of the continuous voter registration exercise is about to begin.
“So, we are using this opportunity to sensitise the community to please encourage their people to come out to pick up their PVCs, and those that are 18 years and above, who have not yet registered as voters to use this opportunity to do so, so that they can participate in the forthcoming 2023 elections”.
Narrating her experience, a resident, Vera Mordi, said “the issue of PVCs, many of us have been suffering trying to obtain them, and when others get to above this, they are discouraged from participating in the elections.
“When you hear that your neighbour went and did not succeed , you will not have that desire to go and obtain your PVC, as it’s better to stay in the house, and forget about voting during elections.”
She continued : “But, with voter education we have been exposed to during the event , one can now be encouraged to go and get registered for the PVC.
“And I pray that they will do it as they taught us during the enlightenment programme, not that when we reach their office, they will subject us to necessary sufferings, it will not encourage us to obtain our PVCs.
“For me, I’m willing to go for my PVC now, more than ever before, and if they will not disappoint, it will encourage others to do same, as my neighbour will ask me about my experience, to help them decide what to do”.
