A Civil Society Organisation Connected Development (CODE) has called on residents of rural communities in Abuja as the Election approaches not to sell their votes, but use their PVCs to demand basic amenities from politicians.
The group made the call in Abuja during the sensitisation and empowerment of women in a community in the suburb of Nyanya.
Voter apathy has been a recurring issue in all elections conducted in Nigeria, particularly in the rural areas.
The electoral process provides citizens the opportunity to decide those who will represent them at the local, state and national level.
It is important that all eligible voters participate in all electoral processes.
This thinking is behind a door- to- door PVC collection campaign which has been brought to Angwan Dadi community because it is among the under served ones.
According to the group, Connected Development, the community boasts of many eligible voters armed with their PVCs.
From voter’s registration to voting proper, this awareness programme by CODE is out to ensure proper representation in the helms of affairs of government especially given women insights to make the right choice.
Rural voter apathy goes beyond just a lack of interest or the passive nature of voters towards voting.
It is the insensitivity of voters to electoral processes, particularly voting due to disenchantment with the political system.
Another issue which has recently been on the front burner is the issue of voter ignorance especially now with the introduction of the new Voter accreditation system known as BVAS.
Resisting the phenomenon of Vote Buying was also a major part of the sensitisation by the group to voters in the community.
The issue of Vote Buying and Others are expected to be on the front burner as the campaigning for the 2023 Elections continues apace.
The election Management Body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will have its hands full as the election approaches but the assistance of partners like CODE and Others will help in aiding the activities of the Commission.
