2024 Edo Guber: Importance of Electorates to Value Their Votes Emphasized.

 2024 Edo Guber:

Importance of Electorates to Value Their Votes Emphasized.

...as YES Project Initiative Begins the Value Your Vote Campaign in Edo State.

By: Oriaifoh Godwins

 At an awareness event organized by Youth Empowerment Solution, YES, Project recently, the need for the Electorates, particularly the Youths to vote their conscience and not to sell their votes in the September 2024 Edo gubernatorial election, has been stressed, even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, revealed that dedicated lines will soon be made public to report cases of electoral malpractices and irregularities.

Mr. Oche Precious Edeh, the Executive Director, YES Project, so advised Edo electorates in a Town Hall Meeting organized by YES Project in collaboration with another Non Governmental Organization, NGO, Josemaria Escriva and supported by INEC that held in Ekpoma, Esan West local government area on Thursday, 31st May, 2024.

Speaking, Edeh said; "...the purpose of this gathering, is to make us understand why we should value our votes and take our civic responsibility to vote, seriously. Mr. Edeh who said, Nigeria has 96 million registered voters, but has never recorded above 30 to 36 percent of the registered voters in any election, said the same scenario obtains in Edo State.

He said; "...from empirical revelation, Youths participate more in voting, as such, our message today, is to drive a connection towards how we can ensure that, our Youths know the purpose and value of voting, as the Youths makes up about 40 percent of the voters' register, saying; "the old order of buying and selling of votes should change".

Oche also revealed that, his organisation and partners are further taking this message of "VALUE YOUR VOTES" to all the nooks and crannies of Edo state, and concluded by saying; "the day we decide to vote right, according to our conscience, we will see the change we expect".

In his goodwill message, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, the Chief Responsibility Officer of Josemaria Escriva, advised all present to take the message from the Town Hall meeting to their various Wards and Units, and expressed his delight on the fact that majority of the attendees are youths.

Delivering a lecture on: "Understanding Key Election Information, Ahead of Edo state Governorship Election", Mr. Timidi Wariowei, the Head of Department, VEP, INEC, Edo state, who was represented by the INEC Assistant Electoral Officer in Esan West, Mrs. Ezewele Mercy, harped on the need for registered voters to visit INEC offices in the area where they registered for their Permanent Voters Cards, PVC,  for the collection of their PVC's, as about 19, 000 PVC's are yet to be collected. Timidi Wariowei, advised people that have earlier registered for the PVC, not to register again this time.

The importance of avoiding void votes, the creation of new Polling points out of the overpopulated ones, how to properly thumb print on the ballot paper, were all explained to the audience by the HOD, VEP, INEC.

Speaking on the role of the Police Force, and other security agencies in relation to the election, the Esan West Police Division Area Commander, represented by Superintendent of Police, Dauda Musa, spoke on the topic; "Enhancing Election Security". He said; "... issues relating to security are vast, but regarding election matters, we are to ensure the safety of lives and properties before, during and after the electioneering process". He however, added that election in Edo state, compared to some other states in Nigeria, is better as less election violence and criminalities are recorded.

On his part, Mr. William Oseghale, Assistant Commandant,  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin, revealed that, EFCC will soon make dedicated phone numbers available for people to call in to report cases of malpractices and electoral crimes. He added that opportunity is also available for anonymous calls to report such malpractices.

Stressing on the implication of vote buying, Oseghale quoted the electoral law, section 23, subsection a to c, saying; "... a fine of Five hundred thousand naira, or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both, awaits anyone that is involved in vote buying, selling or related election offences.