Your Vote Counts

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A young man displaying his PVC 

By Hadiza Abdulrahman

Elections have been the main method of implementing representative democracy in contemporary times. It allows anyone to vote and run for office. 

In Nigeria, the first elections held after the military took power in 1993 were those of the Fourth Republic. Though, the country has held elections since 1959, with a variety of political parties. 

Indeed, voting must take place for elections to succeed, and that explains why it serves as the mechanism by which the electorate, or people, select representatives to serve in their governments. 

However, as a result of their lack of confidence in the political system or the electoral process, many Nigerians, particularly the youth, have come to believe that election results are often fixed before voters even cast their ballots. 

The question then is: why do candidates for public office still run if your vote has no real impact? 

Number of Completed Voter Registrations 


Data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that as of August, 2022, 12.29 million Nigerians had been properly registered, raising the expected number of eligible voters in the nation for the 2023 general election to 96.2 million. 

Data from the newly-registered voters showed that the majority, over 8.78 million, are young people between the ages of 18 and 34; middle-aged (35-49 years) are 2.43 million, elderly persons (50—69 years), 956,017 and Senior Citizens 127,541 .
Age Group Distribution of Nigerians who completed their PVC Registration (Monday, August 1 2022) Source: INEC

However, after clean up in September, 2022, INEC delisted 1.1 million fresh registrants due to "invalid processes". 

Many a political observer believe that young people are well-positioned to utilise their numbers to change the situation by casting informed ballots for the change they so desperately want. 

But according to a 21-year-old student, Ismail Abdulbakir, there is no reason he should get his PVC because "those at the top have already decided the winners ". 

Because the elections are often marred by violence, he added, no-one can realistically expect him to risk his life at the polls.
Ismail Abdulbakir 
link below for more reactions

Why your vote counts 

 You are Eligible

If you are of voting age (18), you have the right to cast a ballot. In order to be heard, let your vote be counted. You must take action. If you fail to come out on Election Day, you have denied your candidate the chance to make a difference. 

Electoral ACT, 2022: Technological Adoption in Electoral process 

The computerised transmission of election results and other changes to Nigeria's electoral rules would make it difficult for election materials to be stolen after polls have closed. A nationwide electronic register of election results is essential, as stated in Section 62 (1-2) of the Electoral Act 2022, which goes as follows:

Section 63 (1-3) of the Electoral Act of 2022, gives room for rejection of ballot paper without official mark
Democracy exists. 

You must actively engage in the process for democracy to flourish. Democracy needs time and ongoing citizen regeneration. 

Change you desire to see 

It is not about choosing your favourite candidate; the people who receive your vote have the power to determine the quality of life you want for yourself and future generations, including economy, social security, and education. 

You must speak up with your vote because it is your voice. By casting your ballot, you decide how government should run and spend your tax. 

The Presidential and National Assembly elections is slated for February 25. 


Comments

  1. GIDailyJanuary 8, 2023 at 9:09 AM

    We hold the key to shape a better Nigeria & we must all vote our conscience

    ReplyDelete

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