In order to facilitate its youth PVC registration drive, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has deployed 150 staff and over 50 machines to Abuja’s Old Parade Ground.
The move by INEC, in collaboration with the European Union, aims to register all eligible voters in the federal capital territory just a few weeks before the June 30 registration deadline.
Yahaya Bello, the FCT INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, stated at a press conference in Abuja that the commission is embracing every available intervention and partnership to ensure that all eligible voters are registered.
Those who had previously registered can now collect their cards, while those who are registering for the first time, transferring or replacing lost cards will be called to collect their PVCs in January 2023.
“INEC is fully prepared and committed to assisting Nigerians in obtaining voter cards and participating in elections, and has thus mobilized staff and logistics for the exercise.”
“I appeal to youths and others who may face difficulties as a result of the massive turnout of people to see the difficulties as sacrifices they must make in order to participate in determining their leaders.”
Meanwhile, the European Union has urged Nigerians, particularly those in the Federal Capital Territory, to attend the Youth Vote Count Mega Music Concert.
Olaolu Olawunmi, a representative of the EU, stated in her remarks that the collaboration with INEC aims to raise young people’s awareness of governance issues.
Olawunmi stated that the EU is encouraging young people to not only register for their PVCs but also to collect the cards when they are ready and vote with them.
“The good thing about this program is that it is locally driven,” she said, adding, “and we are trying to bring civically-cultured celebrities, influencers, and bloggers together to help us speak to young people about how to get their PVCs.”
“How do we get them interested?” Not only by obtaining voter registration cards but also through consistent participation.
“How do we get them interested?” Not only by obtaining voter registration cards but also through the sustained engagement of young people in Nigeria?
“When you look at INEC data, you can see that we have a lot of young people in our population, but that doesn’t always translate into political participation.”
The “open-air PVC registration” at Abuja’s Old Parade Ground is scheduled to last from June 20th to June 25th.
