Issued in Abuja: 11:00 am, Friday, 13th January 2023
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) has observed with keen interest, events leading up to the 2023 General Elections and notes the following:
ON THE TRAINING OF AD HOC STAFF AND VOTER SENSITIZATION
Situation Room notes that with the Presidential Election only a few days away, the training of ad hoc staff needs to be intensified to enable the staff properly acquaint themselves with the workings and usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) well ahead of the elections.
Also, there is a need to step up civic education of voters. More awareness materials need to be produced and disseminated via mainstream and social media including conducting of physical sensitization. Voters need to be aware of voting guidelines, electoral offences and penalties especially regarding ‘vote buying and selling’ which is a major concern as seen in Ekiti and Osun States Governorship Elections in 2022.
ON EXTENSION OF PVC COLLECTION AT WARD LEVEL
The Nigerian National Assembly passed a new Electoral law on 25th January 2022, which was welcomed by Nigerians and Nigerian watchers as a major watershed to help improve elections in the country. The Electoral Act 2022 renewed the hope and confidence of Nigerians and built expectations that the 2023 elections will be conducted efficiently by INEC. This led to massive trooping out of Nigerians to register and update their information on the voters’ roll.
Situation Room commends Nigerians who have made out time to go and collect their PVC but, is deeply concerned about the deadline for PVC collection at the ward level scheduled to end on Sunday, 15th January 2023.
Situation Room calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to extend the PVC collection at the ward level to enable more registered voters collect their PVC with ease within their reach. Ward level collection is also a big motivation to make a larger number of people go and collect the PVC. Situation Room therefore reminds the Commission of its commitment to ensure ease in the electoral processes and listen to the appeals of Nigerians to extend the Ward level collection.
CONCLUSION
Nigerian voters are waiting to cast their vote for a new government in 2023 that would hopefully address the disappointments and failures of past electoral promises and set the country on a path to national unity and development. Situation Room therefore calls on INEC to do everything within the power of the Commission to ensure that the General Elections hold in Nigeria as scheduled, this 2023 and ensure that all processes are smooth as Nigerians will not accept any attempt to scuttle the conduct of the general elections.
Situation Room also urges all registered voters to go out en masse and collect their PVC. People’s Votes Count when we all vote in the 2023 General Elections. Your Vote is Your Power.
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SIGNED:
Ene Obi
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Asma’u Joda
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
James Ugochukwu
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room